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https://www.rt.com/usa/429205-airforce-bombers-grounded-ejection/
US Air Force grounds all B-1B bombers after ejection seat trouble
Published time: 8 Jun, 2018 21:08 Edited time: 8 Jun, 2018 21:23
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B-1 bombers © Ian Hodgson / Reuters
The US Air Force has grounded its entire B-1B 'Lancer' bomber fleet, due to safety concerns related to the aircraft’s ejection seats not functioning properly.
The decision was taken as a direct result of an incident last month, where a Lancer had to make an emergency landing at Midland Airport in Texas.
The Air Force confirmed in a statement that a safety investigation uncovered an issue with ejection seat components that necessitated a stand-down of the full fleet until further investigations are complete. The aircraft will return to flight as issues are resolved.
Questions were raised at the time as to whether the ejection seat had failed after photos of the incident circulated on social media, showing that at least one of the four cockpit escape hatches had blown, but the ejection seat had not been deployed.
The bomber was not carrying any munitions at the time, and no one was injured.
READ MORE: 2 US B-1B strategic bombers conduct firing drills with South Korea & Japan
The supersonic B-1B, manufactured by Boeing, carries the largest conventional payload of any aircraft in the US Air Force. The non-nuclear bombers returned to the Middle East for the first time in nearly two-and-a-half years last April to take over strike missions from B-52 Stratofortress bombers.
The B-1Bs were used in US strikes against Syria's chemical weapons facilities in April in response to an alleged gas attack in Douma, which was blamed by the US, UK and France on government forces.
READ MORE: ‘Mission accomplished': Trump praises 'perfectly executed' strike on Syria
The long-range, multi-role heavy bomber was first used in combat in 1998, and it was heavily used during the 2003 Iraq War. Last year, a number of B-1B bombers flew over South Korea as part of joint military exercises, which was denounced by North Korea.
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https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/08/politics/b1-bomber-fleet-stand-down/index.html
US Air Force temporarily grounds all B-1 bombers for safety reasons
By Ryan Browne
Updated 1746 GMT (0146 HKT) June 8, 2018
Current Time 0:09
/
Duration Time 1:37
The U.S. military's $400B fighter jet (2016)
Navy warship tested against 10,000-pound explosive
Fighter pilot passes out, jet goes into free fall
Washington (CNN)The US Air Force has grounded all B-1B Lancer bombers, a major component of the US long range bombing fleet, for safety reasons, the Air Force said Friday.
"During the safety investigation process following an emergency landing of a B-1B in Midland, Texas, an issue with ejection seat components was discovered that necessitated the stand down," Air Force spokesman Major William Russell said in a statement. The order was issued June 7.
"As these issues are resolved, aircraft will return to flight," Russell said.
The highly versatile, supersonic B-1 carries the largest conventional payload of any aircraft in the US Air Force. It does not carry nuclear weapons.
Video reportedly shows airstrike in Syria 01:29
The B-1 bombers were featured in the US strikes against Syria's chemical weapons facilities in April.
Two US Air Force officials told CNN that although B-1s are currently deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, operations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan would not be impacted.
The grounding of the B-1s was first reported by Military.com
The Air Force said the investigation is to "to prevent future mishaps or losses" and that it would be led by experts who will investigate the incident and recommend corrective actions.
"The safety of Airmen is the command's top priority," Russell said in the statement. "The Air Force takes safety incidents seriously and works diligently to identify and correct potential causes."
US Air Force grounds all B-1B bombers after ejection seat trouble
Published time: 8 Jun, 2018 21:08 Edited time: 8 Jun, 2018 21:23
Get short URL
B-1 bombers © Ian Hodgson / Reuters
The US Air Force has grounded its entire B-1B 'Lancer' bomber fleet, due to safety concerns related to the aircraft’s ejection seats not functioning properly.
The decision was taken as a direct result of an incident last month, where a Lancer had to make an emergency landing at Midland Airport in Texas.
The Air Force confirmed in a statement that a safety investigation uncovered an issue with ejection seat components that necessitated a stand-down of the full fleet until further investigations are complete. The aircraft will return to flight as issues are resolved.
Questions were raised at the time as to whether the ejection seat had failed after photos of the incident circulated on social media, showing that at least one of the four cockpit escape hatches had blown, but the ejection seat had not been deployed.
The bomber was not carrying any munitions at the time, and no one was injured.
READ MORE: 2 US B-1B strategic bombers conduct firing drills with South Korea & Japan
The supersonic B-1B, manufactured by Boeing, carries the largest conventional payload of any aircraft in the US Air Force. The non-nuclear bombers returned to the Middle East for the first time in nearly two-and-a-half years last April to take over strike missions from B-52 Stratofortress bombers.
The B-1Bs were used in US strikes against Syria's chemical weapons facilities in April in response to an alleged gas attack in Douma, which was blamed by the US, UK and France on government forces.
READ MORE: ‘Mission accomplished': Trump praises 'perfectly executed' strike on Syria
The long-range, multi-role heavy bomber was first used in combat in 1998, and it was heavily used during the 2003 Iraq War. Last year, a number of B-1B bombers flew over South Korea as part of joint military exercises, which was denounced by North Korea.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/08/politics/b1-bomber-fleet-stand-down/index.html
US Air Force temporarily grounds all B-1 bombers for safety reasons
By Ryan Browne
Updated 1746 GMT (0146 HKT) June 8, 2018
Current Time 0:09
/
Duration Time 1:37
The U.S. military's $400B fighter jet (2016)
Navy warship tested against 10,000-pound explosive
Fighter pilot passes out, jet goes into free fall
Washington (CNN)The US Air Force has grounded all B-1B Lancer bombers, a major component of the US long range bombing fleet, for safety reasons, the Air Force said Friday.
"During the safety investigation process following an emergency landing of a B-1B in Midland, Texas, an issue with ejection seat components was discovered that necessitated the stand down," Air Force spokesman Major William Russell said in a statement. The order was issued June 7.
"As these issues are resolved, aircraft will return to flight," Russell said.
The highly versatile, supersonic B-1 carries the largest conventional payload of any aircraft in the US Air Force. It does not carry nuclear weapons.
Video reportedly shows airstrike in Syria 01:29
The B-1 bombers were featured in the US strikes against Syria's chemical weapons facilities in April.
Two US Air Force officials told CNN that although B-1s are currently deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, operations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan would not be impacted.
The grounding of the B-1s was first reported by Military.com
The Air Force said the investigation is to "to prevent future mishaps or losses" and that it would be led by experts who will investigate the incident and recommend corrective actions.
"The safety of Airmen is the command's top priority," Russell said in the statement. "The Air Force takes safety incidents seriously and works diligently to identify and correct potential causes."
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