B-1R: The world’s BIGGEST air superiority fighter?!

Did you know there was once a plan to transform the B-1B Lancer into a high-speed, fighter-hunting bomber? The B-1R proposal aimed to double its top speed, equip it with air-to-air missiles, and give it F-22 Raptor engines—turning it into a lethal Mach 2 war machine.

Origins of the B-1 Lancer

The B-1 program began in 1969, aiming to create a heavy bomber capable of short sprints above Mach 2—fast enough to dash past Soviet defenses before slowing down to deliver nuclear payloads. However, rising costs led President Jimmy Carter to cancel it in 1977. The program remained dormant until Ronald Reagan revived it.

The B-1B: A New Design with a Different Purpose

Instead of high-altitude speed, the B-1B was optimized for low-altitude, high-speed penetration. Radar-absorbing materials and redesigned engine inlets made it harder to detect but also reduced its maximum speed.

Key improvements included:

• A 75,000 lb bomb load with a full fuel tank.
• An unrefueled combat radius of 3,400 miles.
• Record-setting performance in speed, payload, and range.

Its endurance and firepower made it a vital airstrike and close support platform in the Global War on Terror. However, by 2019, nearly half the fleet was down for maintenance, and the B-1B became the most expensive U.S. bomber to operate—costing $173,000 per flight hour by 2022.

The B-1R: A Supersonic Fighter-Bomber?

The B-1R (R for Regional) would have replaced the existing engines with F-22 Raptor’s Pratt & Whitney F119 engines. This upgrade would have:

• Cut 2,000 lbs from the aircraft’s weight.
• Enabled supercruise, allowing it to fly supersonic without afterburners.
• Increased top speed to Mach 2, making it faster than every U.S. fighter except the F-15 and F-22.
• Allowed it to carry and fire AIM-120 missiles, making it a bomber capable of air-to-air combat.

The trade-off? A reduction in range to 4,700 miles—converting the B-1 from a strategic to a regional bomber.

Why the B-1R Never Took Off

Despite its incredible potential, the B-1R never moved beyond the concept stage. The high costs and the downtime required for fleet-wide modifications ultimately killed the program. Instead, the U.S. shifted focus to developing the B-21 Raider, a next-generation stealth bomber.

Final Thoughts

The B-1R could have revolutionized air combat, creating a high-speed bomber with air-to-air capabilities. While it never became reality, it remains a fascinating “what-if” scenario in aviation history.