The US Air Force (USAF)'s B-1B Lancer, a Cold War-era bomber originally designed to penetrate Soviet aerial defenses, is preparing for its most significant transformation in decades.

The aircraft, also known as the "B-ONE," has served as a workhorse in the US strategic bomber fleet, leveraging its ability to fly low level at Mach 1.25 while using radar absorbent surfaces and agile maneuvering to evade enemy air defense systems.

Despite its age, the B-1B remains uniquely positioned to counter Russia's modernized but still vulnerable air defenses.

Now, the planned Super B-1B upgrade promises to transform the Lancer into an even more formidable weapon system, built around Load Adaptable Modular (LAM) pylon technology that could enhance the bomber's carrying capacity by 50%.

The current Lancer configuration can carry an estimated 34,000kg of ordnance, but the new LAM system could boost that figure to just over 51,000kg.

This increase enables the aircraft to carry multiple GBU-72/B Advanced 5K Penetrator bombs, providing the United States enhanced capability to strike heavily fortified and underground targets -- such as nuclear facilities -- with greater efficiency.

Hypersonic future

The enhanced payload capacity represents just one dimension of the B-1B's evolution.

Currently, a B-1B can carry up to 24 AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) or Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) internally.

Six LAM pylons could enable the bomber to carry 12 additional precision stand-off munitions.

Given that a JASSM – Extended Range (JASSM-ER) boasts a range of just under 1,000km, this expanded capacity means the B-1B would be capable of suppressing adversary air defenses independently while en route to a target, reducing the need for additional escort aircraft.

The LAM system will also allow the use of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), which can be launched from up to 15 miles away from a target.

These new pylons will enable the B-1B to become a platform compatible with cutting-edge hypersonic missiles, and the USAF intends to use the B-1B to test these weapons in the near future.

The United States is planning to unveil its new hypersonic weapon battery by the end of September, equipped with missiles capable of traveling at Mach 5 or faster at ranges beyond 2,414km.

By arming the B-1B with these missiles, the USAF would gain a decisive advantage in long-distance strike missions against heavily defended targets.

The combination of speed, diverse and heavy payload capabilities, and operational flexibility positions the Super B-1B to remain at the forefront of US long-range strike capabilities for years to come.