Bengaluru: The US flew its B-1B Lancer heavy bomber for the first time in India at the 13th biennial Aero India 2021 on Wednesday to showcase its capabilities.
"The Boeing's B1-Bomber flew along with the Made in India Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas during the flying display of various military aircraft at the inaugural event of the three-day air show at the Yelahanka base of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on the city's outskirts," a defence official told IANS here.
The long-range, multi-role heavy bomber flew to Bengaluru last week from the Ellsworth Air Force base in South Dakota in 26 hours to perform a 'fly-by' at the Indian defence expo.
"The supersonic bomber is capable of carrying out missions worldwide from its bases in the US and from forward deployed locations," said the US consulate in a statement here.
With conventional payload of guided and unguided weapons in the US Air Force onboard, the massive aircraft is considered the backbone of America's long-range bomber force.
Powered by four General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engines with afterburner, the Bomber has 137 feet wingspan, 146 feet length, 34 feet height and weighs a whopping 86,183 kg.
"The bomber's maximum take-off weight is 2,16,634 kg and it has a capacity to carry 1,20,326 kg and can fly at 900 miles per hour at over 30,000 feet," Boeing said in its factsheet.
Nicknamed 'The Bone', the B-1 has been deployed in combat operations over Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.
As a major partner, the US is participating in the air show to strengthen its defence ties with India, reflecting its shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
04/02/21 IANS/Economic Times
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