The US Air Force wants to retire the first B-1B Lancer supersonic strategic bomber since 2021 - all aircraft will be retired by the early 2030s

The United States Air Force has not decommissioned the B-1B Lancer strategic bomber for several years. But that will change in 2024.

Here's What We Know

The U.S. Air Force is requesting approval to decommission one supersonic aircraft in fiscal year 2024. If Congress approves, the service will retain 44 B-1B Lancer bombers in service.

The previous B-1B Lancer was decommissioned in February 2021. And then the U.S. Air Force has sent to retirement not one but 17 supersonic aircraft, reducing the fleet to 45 units. The 45 bombers remain in service to this day.

The United States had a total of 100 B-1Bs. Initially they could carry nuclear weapons, but over time this option was abandoned. They are all expected to be decommissioned at the beginning of the next decade.