B-1 Bomber Has Serious Flaws, Committee Says

The Air Force’s B-1 bomber is incapable of flying as either a nuclear or conventional weapon because it lacks a system to jam enemy radar, according to House Government Operations Committee documents released Sunday.

The panel’s material also indicates that the B-1 cannot fly in certain weather because it has no de-icing system.

The B-1 was produced by Rockwell International at its Mojave Desert plant near Palmdale, Calif.

The findings come on the heels of a recent two-month grounding of the fleet of 97 planes prompted by two incidents of engines being disabled on the supersonic aircraft after fan blades broke. An engine fell to the ground in one of the incidents.

The bomber has been plagued with problems since the B-1s, which cost $280 million each, came into service in 1986. The difficulties range from fuel tank leaks to the engine problems. Three of the planes have either crashed or experienced forced landings. One of the emergencies stemmed from a bird flying into an engine.

The panel plans to hold a hearing on the aircraft later this week.

Apprised of the committee’s findings, an Air Force spokesman said the allegations regarding the mission capability of the aircraft and de-icing have long since been resolved.

“There are only two problems still of concern to the Air Force,” Air Force Maj. Dick Cole said, referring to the absence of a system for jamming enemy radar and the engine difficulty. “Once we’ve got those two nailed, we’ve got it knocked,” he said.