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THE B-1B BOMBER AND
OPTIONS FOR ENHANCEMENTS
 
 
August 1988
 
 
NOTE

Cover photograph used courtesy of Rockwell International Corporation.
 
 
PREFACE

The B-1B bomber has many special features that enhance its ability to penetrate Soviet air defenses. Even so, many reported deficiencies--including shortcomings in the bomber's defensive and offensive avionics and a range that is shorter than anticipated--have instilled doubts about its capability to perform the mission for which it was originally designed. These reports have raised three fundamental questions:

This study by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), performed at the request of the House Committee on Armed Services, addresses the first two issues and then examines several options for enhancing the B-1B bomber. In keeping with CBO's mandate to provide objective analysis, the study does not recommend any particular course of action.

Jeffrey A. Merkley of CBO's National Security Division prepared the study under the general supervision of Robert F. Hale and John D. Mayer, Jr. William P. Myers assisted with cost estimates. The author gratefully acknowledges the helpful suggestions of Bonita J. Dombey, James West, and Jay Noell, also of CBO. Sherry Snyder edited the report, and Rebecca J. Kees and Kathryn Quattrone prepared it for publication.
 

James L. Blum
Acting Director
August 1988
 
 

CONTENTS
 

SUMMARY

I. INTRODUCTION

II. WORKING THE "BUGS" OUT

III. THE CAPABILITY OF SOVIET AIR DEFENSES AND THE COMPARATIVE MERITS OF PENETRATING AND STANDOFF BOMBERS

IV. ENHANCEMENTS FOR THE B-1B BOMBER

APPENDIXES

A. Methodology for Calculating the Payload Capacity and Range of the B-1B on Terrain-following Missions
B Wide-Area Tracking Systems for Soviet Air Defenses
 

TABLES
 
S-1.  Description and Cost of Enhancement Programs for the B-1B Bomber
1.  Cost of Options for Enhancing the B-1B
A-1.  Calculation of the B-1B's Payload Capacity
A-2.  Distribution of the B-lB's Payload When the Bomber Carries Eight SRAM-As and Eight B61 Bombs
 
FIGURES
 
1.  Cumulative B-1B Baseline Costs, 1981-1993
2.  Cumulative Nonbaseline Costs, 1981-1993
3.  Approximate Range of B-1B Bomber During Terrain-following Flight at Low Altitudes
4.  Mean Time Between Flyups During Test Flights Using Software Blocks 6.3 and 7.1, June 1987 to February 1988
5.  B-1B Logistical Support as Measured by "Canns" per Sortie at Two Air Force Bases, January 1987 to April 1988
6.  Average Flight Time Between Fuel Leaks at Two Air Force Bases, July 1986 to January 1988
7.  B-lB's Optimum Cruise Altitudes as a Function of Gross Weight
8.  B-lB's Refueling Altitudes as a Function of Gross Weight
A-1.  Gross Weight Limits of the B-1B During Terrain-following Flight
 
BOXES
 
1.  Relationship Between Angle of Attack and Lift
2.  Automatic Terrain-following System
3.  Radio Frequency Signal Management System
4.  Synergistic Relationship Between ICBMs and Bombers

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