Context

The United States Air Force (USAF) has once again sent their B-1B Lancers and an array of other defence machinery to participate in the Aero Show 2023 held at Bengaluru.

About

What is B-1B Lancer?

• B-1B?Lancer, also known as ‘Bone’ (for B-one), carries the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the USAF.
  • It is considered the backbone of America’s long-range?bomber?force.
  • This is the second time that the long-range, supersonic, heavy?bomber?is participating in Aero India.
    • The aircraft performed a fly-by on the inaugural day of Aero India 2021, escorted by an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter.
• The long-range, supersonic heavy?bomber which is dubbed Bone (for “B-one”) carries the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the USAF.
  • Apart from the B-1s, the US lineup at the biennial air show includes the USAF’s newest fifth-generation fighters – the stealthy, supersonic, multirole F-35A Lightning II and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter. 
• An F-16 Fighting Falcon duo has been conducting daily aerial demonstrations, while the US Navy F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole fighters are on static display.
  

Significance

• Strategic partnership: The return of the long-range, supersonic, heavy?bomber?to India to participate in Aero India 2023 underscores the importance the United States places on the growing strategic partnership with India.