US Air Force released a press reporting the first flight conducted by a B-1B LANCER, the first of 23 upgraded with the BEAST program, of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

The B-1 Embracing Agile Scheduling Team (BEAST) program, is made by a multitude of technology upgrades designed to modernize the aging bomber fleet. It includes a modernized Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, Link 16 tactical data communications capability, upgraded secure communications systems, an updated defensive avionics system, and updated mass data storage to handle the large amounts of information flowing through modern battlefields.

In accordance with some declarations released by Col. Dan Alford, Commander of the 7th Operations Group, the upgrades should make the aircrew’s job a little easier, reduce their workload, and allow them to focus on combat employment of the weapon system itself. The BEAST program involves the US Air Force Global Strike Command and the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group at Tinker Air Force Base, in Oklahoma, where the LANCER receives depot-level maintenance. According to Col. Joshua Pope, Commander of the 7th Maintenance Group at Dyess, the new program has also been scheduled to give each Bomb Wing flexibility to schedule their aircraft for modification enhancing the readiness of the fleet.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLMC) is also planning to conduct additional works on the bomber: to render the B-1’s external hardpoints operative to launch AGM-86B Air-Launched Cruise Missile externally (previously banned by the START treaty) and to conduct, with Boeing, a full-scale structural fatigue testing of the B-1 fuselage and wings to identify potential risk areas.

The BEAST modifications should give the B-1 “life and lethality out to 2040 and beyond,” until the stealthy B-21 RAIDER, which is yet to take its first test flight, will come in service.

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