U.S. Air Force’s B-1B Lancer lands at Aero India 2023

B-1B Lancer, also known as ‘Bone’ (for B-one), carries the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the USAF, and is considered the backbone of America’s long-range bomber force

Two B-1B Lancer supersonic heavy bombers of the United States Air Force (USAF) took to the sky on the second day of Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 14, 2023. | Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K

United States Air Force (USAF) has added two more aircraft to its fleet at Aero India 2023. The second day of Aero India saw the arrival of two supersonic heavy bombers — the B-1B Lancer.

B-1B Lancer, also known as ‘Bone’ (for B-one), carries the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the USAF, and is considered the backbone of America’s long-range bomber force.

The two B-1B Lancers arrived from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. This is the second time that the long-range, supersonic, heavy bomber is participating in Aero India.

B-1B Lancer

The B-1B Lancer is a long-range, supersonic, heavy bomber of the United States Air Force. | Video Credit: Dinakar Peri

During the last edition in 2021, one B-1B Lancer did a fly-by over the Air Force Station at Yelahanka after a 28-hour flight from the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

The aircraft performed a fly-by on the inaugural day of Aero India 2021, escorted by an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter.

The US Consulate General said that the return of the long-range, supersonic, heavy bomber to India to participate in Aero India 2023 underscores the importance the United States places on the growing strategic partnership with India.

“The B-1 offers flexible options to senior leaders and combatant commanders. Greater integration with our allies and partners throughout the region is a positive step towards greater interoperability,” said Major General Julian C. Cheater, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary (International Affairs) of the US Air Force.

Photos | Aero India 2023

Two B-1B Lancer supersonic heavy bombers of United States Air Force (USAF) arrived at Yelahanka air force station on the second day of Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 14, 2023.

Sarang (peacock), aerobatic team of Indian Air Force, took to the skies on the 2nd day of Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 14, 2023.

Visitors queue up for the inaugural ceremony of Aero India 2023 at Air Force Station - Yelahanka in Bengaluru, India, on February 13, 2023. The airshow runs through February 17.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks past Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia during inauguration of Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the audience at Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters fly past the audience at the Aero India 2023, at Yelahanka air force station, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Indian Air Force’s aerobatic team ‘Surya Kiran’ get set for a stunt during the inauguration of Aero India 2023, at Yelahanka air force station, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Indian Air Force’s aerobatic team ‘Surya Kiran’ put up a show during the inauguration of Aero India 2023, at Yelahanka air force station, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Indian Air Force’s aerobatic team ‘Surya Kiran’ put up a show during the inauguration of Aero India 2023, at Yelahanka air force station, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

United States Air Force’s 5th-generation fighters F-35A Lightning II and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter make their debut at Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

US Ambassador Elizabeth Jones sitting inside the cockpit of the USAF’s fifth-generation fighter F-35A at Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Delegates at Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) of IAF at Aero India 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

Aero India 2023 at IAF’s air force station at Yelahanka in Bengaluru on February 13, 2023.

1/3

Rear Admiral Michael Baker, Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché at the U.S. embassy in New Delhi, said, “The bombers made the journey from South Dakota to Guam, and then to India just to add another exciting dimension to Aero India 2023.

“It’s a long mission to travel from the continental U.S. to the Indian Ocean, but it was worth being part of the biggest air show in the region, hosted by our major defense partner, India. The U.S. and India continue to deepen defense cooperation. We have two great militaries that are even better when we work together.”