B-1B Modernization
The B-1B Lancer is a swing-wing, supersonic, long-range conventional bomber. It carries the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory. The multi-mission B-1B is the backbone of America's long-range conventional bomber force and can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. The B-1B modernization projects alleviate aircraft obsolescence issues due to Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) while at the same time providing improved capabilities to the B-1B weapon system that require significant hardware and software development and testing. The FY 2027 President's Budget Request for the B-1B Lancer is a direct investment in the strategic imperatives outlined in the 2026 National Defense Strategy. Following the reversal of its planned retirement, the B-1B's role as the backbone of America's long-range conventional strike force is more critical than ever. As demonstrated recently in Operation Absolute Resolve and Operation Epic Fury, the B-1B is an indispensable tool for achieving national security objectives. This request provides the necessary funding to modernize the platform, ensuring its lethality and relevance through the mid 2030's by directly supporting the three pillars of the 2026 National Defense Strategy: Integrated Deterrence, Campaigning, and Building a Resilient and Lethal Joint Force. LONG-RANGE ANTI-SHIP MISSILE (LRASM) C-3 INTEGRATION: The Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) C-3 is increment 1 of the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) weapon development program. LRASM Air to Ground Missile (AGM-158C-3) addresses an air-launch capability gap by providing flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets. The LRASM AGM-158C-3 variant will be a forward fit Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) to the AGM-158C to enhance long range strike and existing Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) capability. Beginning in FY 2026, the United States Air Force (USAF) will procure AGM-158C-3 missiles only until the missile inventory objective is met. The first USAF LRASM C-3 missile deliveries are targeted in Q1 FY 2028. LRASM is highly leveraged on the design of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER, AGM-158B).
FY2027 planned work No RDT&E funding in FY 2027 due to completion of Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD).
FY2026 to FY2027 change No RDT&E funding in FY 2027 due to completion of EMD.
FY2026 plans — current year No RDT&E funding in FY 2026; complete software correction for cryptographic hardware and transition to production and retrofit.
FY2027 planned work Continue software integration effort, procure test asset, and provide Developmental Testing/Operational Testing (DT/OT) support.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Increase in software integration efforts for the C-3 variant.
FY2026 plans — current year Begin integration efforts for the C3 variant of the LRASM missile. Verify interface documents, begin allocating detailed functional requirements to B-1B weapons software and begin mission planning updates needed for the new missile variant, including aircrew interface requirements.
FY2027 planned work Complete RDT&E efforts on Hybrid SATCOM
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease due to completion of Hybrid SATCOM RDT&E as the program transitions into production.
FY2026 plans — current year Hybrid Satellite Communications (SATCOM): Integrate and fly pre-production Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) hardware from Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and Air Force Command, Control, Communication, and Battle Management (C3BM). Develop Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and user interface with early user testing. Begin updating/designing of Hardware/Software (HW/SW) for "plug and play" of production hardware. Tactical Airborne Communication Kit (TACKit): Integrate and fly interim TACKit hardware from Air Force (AF) Command, Control, Communication, and Battle Management (C3BM) on 10 aircraft to support critical capability need.
Continue airworthiness analysis, and test activities to support ground and flight test events. Finalize hardware design to include changes to Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and wiring. Order Group A and Group B hardware for on-aircraft testing. Conduct software testing and ground testing. Each Group A Kit (Install Kit) includes an…
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work Develop aircraft software and hardware to allow the B-1B to carry the Guided Bomb Unit GBU-72, Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) weapons externally. Develop mission planning software to allow the B-1B to carry the GBU-72, LRASM, JASSM and Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) externally.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Program is a FY 2027 New Start.
FY2027 planned work Integrate equipment including Global Positioning System (GPS) Military Code (M-code) capable receivers, antenna electronics units, and signal processing equipment into B-1B platform avionics architecture. Design mechanical and electrical interfaces between new and existing equipment, purchase prototype equipment and installation kits for future testing and integrate minor necessary changes within B-1B Operational Flight Program software blocks.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Program is a FY 2027 New Start.
Complete an Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the BSTAR program by operationally testing the COCO supplemental training construct supporting Dyess and Ellsworth AFB, delivering operationally relevant ground and flight training to B-1 aircrew while generating and sustaining planned sortie throughput across both locations.
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work Program Management Administration (PMA) and centralized support including initiatives for anticipated weapon system enhancements, analysis, documentation, and related activities necessary to support the B-1B weapon system.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2026 funds supported Program Depot Maintenance (PDM) for Developmental Test (DT) Jet 85-0068; FY 2027 has no scheduled PDM activities.
FY2026 plans — current year Scheduled maintenance activities to include Programmed Depot Maintenance, safety of flight and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) issues and other mandates necessary to ensure continued aircrew safety and mission effectiveness.