The Pentagon is restoring nuclear strike capability to B-1B bombers.

The US Department of Defense is considering a plan to restore the nuclear capability of the B-1B Lancer bombers, which were abandoned in the mid-1s under the START I Treaty. These aircraft were originally designed as a means of penetrating Soviet air defenses at low altitudes specifically for nuclear strikes, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union, they were stripped of the special equipment for carrying and launching such weapons. weaponsBy 2011, the entire fleet The B-1B has been officially reclassified as a conventional-only carrier, and Russian inspectors annually verify US compliance with these international agreements.

Now the Pentagon has decided to invest about $342 million to upgrade the remaining 44 bombers so that they can again carry nuclear cruise missiles. missiles on new external pylons. Each pylon is designed to carry two missiles simultaneously. The military is also testing the integration of long-range hypersonic missiles. According to American strategists, the combination of the aircraft's high speed and new weapons technologies should enhance deterrence in the changing geopolitical environment.

The modernization not only changes the bomber's weapons suite but also significantly extends its service life. Instead of the previously planned early retirement, the upgraded B-1B Lancers will remain in service until at least 2037. Investments in the program are scheduled for the period from 2027 to 2031, and this step effectively reverses previous decisions to denuclearize this aircraft type.

Let us recall that today it was reported that Moscow and Washington have abandoned their demands to each other to reduce their nuclear arsenals.

Comments

[expert]

Truly, this is a highly anticipated modernization of the Eraplans. And 44 aircraft, that's impressive!

[SmolH2]

So what's the big deal? Everyone's arming themselves. Looks like mushrooms won't just be growing in the forest soon. (I know they grow in all sorts of places.)
I hope not in my lifetime. But sometimes I'm unlucky...

[spektr9]

Now the Pentagon has decided to invest about $342 million to upgrade the remaining 44 bombers so they can again carry nuclear cruise missiles on new external pylons.

So this no longer returns but complements, because in the internal compartment they could carry nuclear weapons from birth, and here there are also 4 additional pylons

[bk0010]

They were falling apart... The hulls were cracking, the engines had reached the end of their service life.
Furthermore, they were traded for Tu-22s because nuclear cruise missiles wouldn't fit in the bomb bays. Externally mounted missiles would impose significant limitations on flight modes.