Air Force Bombers
Conventional Capabilities of the B-1B Bomber Gao ID: T-NSIAD-94-169 May 4, 1994In GAO's view, the jury is still out on just how effective the B-1B aircraft will be as a conventional bomber. Adapting the aircraft from a nuclear to a conventional role entails many new requirements--mainly relating to maintaining the plane's mission capability after repeated conventional sorties--and the extent to which the B-1B will be able to meet the increased requirements has yet to be determined. This testimony focuses on the B-1B force structure, the Conventional Mission Upgrade Program, the status of some of the bomber's recently reported operational problems, and the congressionally mandated six-month operational readiness assessment.