The B-1 Story | Part 2: False Start

The B-1 Lancer was a highly innovative design, capable of high-speed, low-altitude flight and potentially could have been a vital buttress to the United States Nuclear Triad. But as we discuss in this second part of the B-1 story, post the Vietnam War, military spending was very much at the forefront of turbulent economic times. New President Jimmy Carter had to make a crucial decision about the future of the B-1.

Buy The Supersonic BONE: A Development and Operational History of the B-1 Bomber by Kenneth P. Katz at The Aviation Show Bookshop. 10% of each sale supports the show.

UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16621/9781399020299

US: https://bookshop.org/a/111804/9781399020299

This is an edited version of our podcast that was released in 2022.

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0:00 Introduction to the B-1 Bomber

0:37 Technical Features of the B-1

8:45 Initial Findings and Performance

12:08 Political Context and Controversy

14:55 The Rise of Cruise Missiles

16:04 The B-1's Uncertain Future

17:16 President Carter's Final Decision

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