The B-1 Lancer

An In-depth Look at the Design, History, and Use of Six Mighty U.S. Warplanes America's ongoing war on terrorism is a complex series of both overt and covert operations conducted in numerous countries, especially in Afghanistan, and waged by the military's considerable might on the ground, on the seas, and in the sky. Nearly all of these operations, from troop movements, surveillance, and domestic defense to the bombing of enemy positions and rescue and relief missions, are heavily reliant upon the support of air power. In this time of conflict, students are confronted daily with images of America's new war--images that often feature U.S. warplanes fulfilling their crucial strategic functions. As a result, there is a renewed interest among young people in these mighty machines and the pilots who fly them. Each lavishly illustrated title in the series will examine in great detail one warplane that has been used in the war in Afghanistan, discussing the plane's history, design, construction, capabilities, special features, weaponry, and strategic role past, present, and future. Designed as a long-range nuclear bomber, the B-1 bomber was meant to protect the United States from the Cold War threat of the Soviet Union. Instead, it became the butt of comedians' jokes for its huge price tag and mechanical problems. Fourteen years after the first Lancer was delivered to the air force, the plane proved its critics wrong over the skies of Iraq in 1998. Amy Sterling Casil narrates the intriguing story of this warplane, emphasizing its innovative design, flexible capabilities, varied weapons load, and state-of-the-art technology that make it one of the United States' most effective warplanes.