U.S., South Korea, Japan flex air power in joint drills
The United States, South Korea, and Japan conducted joint air exercises involving B-1B bombers, F-15K, and F-2 fighters. The exercises were conducted in response to North Korea's recent launch of hypersonic and ballistic missiles. According to the Bulgarian Military service, they demonstrated strength and a message to Kim Jong Un.
The exercises, which took place on Wednesday, January 15, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, involved American B-1B bombers, South Korean F-15K fighters, and Japanese F-2 fighters. They aimed to strengthen regional security and readiness to respond to emerging threats from North Korea.
B-1B bombers - an element of the US deterrence strategy
B-1B bombers play a crucial role in the deterrence strategy of the United States and its allies in the Pacific region. Introduced into service in October 1986, these long-range strategic bombers have undergone numerous upgrades to ensure their capability to carry out precise operations using modern US military weaponry.
These aircraft have been significant in numerous armed conflicts, such as operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the former Yugoslavia. It is worth noting that in the coming years, the aging B-1B bomber fleet will be replaced by new B-21 Raider stealth bombers.
The B-1B Lancer is designed by Rockwell International and currently produced by Boeing. The aircraft features variable-sweep wings that allow it to optimize performance in different flight phases. Their wingspan ranges from about 24 metres when fully swept to 42 metres when fully extended.
Powered by four General Electric F101-GE-102 engines, the bomber reaches a maximum speed of around Mach 1.25 at high altitudes. Its main advantage is the ability to fly at high speeds at low altitudes, which enables it to effectively evade enemy air defence systems.
The aircraft has a range of approximately 12,000 kilometres without aerial refuelling, making it ideal for long-range missions. The B-1B also has the capability for in-flight refuelling. The bomber can carry up to 57,000 kilograms of armaments, including both conventional bombs and precision-guided munitions. Its arsenal includes, among others, JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bombs and JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile).
Notably, the B-1B Lancer no longer serves as a nuclear weapons carrier, a role discontinued under international agreements. Instead, its focus has shifted to conducting precise conventional strikes.
