United front: US, South Korea, Japan counter North Korean threat
The United States, South Korea, and Japan conducted joint air manoeuvres involving B-1B bombers, F-15K, and F-2 fighters. The exercises were a response to North Korea's recent launch of hypersonic and ballistic missiles. According to the Bulgarian Military service, they were intended to show strength and a message to Kim Jong Un.
The exercises, which took place on Wednesday, January 15th, involved American B-1B bombers, South Korean F-15K fighters, and Japanese F-2 fighters. They were part of efforts to bolster regional security and readiness to address 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, ensuring their capability to execute precise operations using modern US military weaponry.
These aircraft have played a significant role in numerous armed conflicts, such as operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the former Yugoslavia. It is worth noting, however, that in the coming years, the ageing B-1B bomber fleet will be replaced by new B-21 Raider stealth bombers.
The B-1B Lancer is an aircraft designed by Rockwell International and currently produced by Boeing. Its variable-sweep wings allow it to optimise performance during different flight phases. Its wingspan ranges from approximately 24 metres when fully swept to 42 metres when fully extended.
Thanks to four General Electric F101-GE-102 engines, the bomber reaches a maximum speed of around Mach 1.25 at high altitudes. However, its main advantage is its ability to fly at high speeds at low altitudes, which allows it to effectively evade enemy air defence systems.
The aircraft has a range of roughly 12,000 kilometres without aerial refuelling, making it an ideal tool 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).
Importantly, the B-1B Lancer no longer serves as a nuclear weapons carrier, a role discontinued under international agreements. Instead, the focus has shifted to its capabilities for executing precise conventional strikes.
