337 TES demonstrates ability to triple B-1 payload

  • Published
  • By Airman Charles V. Rivezzo
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron began its first phase of demostrations March 22 of a Multiple Ejector Rack to a B-1 Bomber at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

If fielded, 16-carry modified rotary launchers will increase the number of 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions and Laser Guided JDAMs carried by the B-1 from 15 to 48, a 320 percent increase in capability.

"Currently a B-1 can deliver twice the payload of a B-52, meaning theoretically with the MER upgrade one B-1 will be able to deliver the same amount of payload as four B-52s," said Col. Gerald V. Goodfellow, 7th Operations Group commander.

Also, the MER has mixed-load capability, meaning each bomb bay can hold an assortment of Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missiles, and both 2,000-pound and 500-pound JDAMs, giving the aircrew much greater flexibility during combat missions.

"The war we are in requires target specific weaponry that is capable of destroying a single room of a building," said Tech Sgt. David Koscienski, 337 TES weapons suitability noncommissioned officer in charge. "With the addition of the MER, B-1 operators have the ability to conduct numerous individual attacks, and massive air-strikes as needed, without needing to stop to reload."

Aircrews from 337 TES and 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif., flew a Dyess B-1 March 22 equipped with a MER, and successfully released two inert 500-pound JDAMs over China Lake Missile Range, Calif. An additional mission was also successfully flown March 24 to test drop the weapons again.

"The B-1 is absolutely a choice war-fighting platform considering it can carry multiple weapons, each with specific capabilities, and deploy those weapons at a moment's notice," Sergeant Koscienski said. "The adaptation of the MER, along with the sniper pod and laser-guided JDAMS, will only increase that same lethal capability to an even greater level."

The purpose of the 16-Carry Demonstration Program is to validate the release and safe separation of 500-pound class weapons from a modified B-1 rotary launcher.

"This upgrade will not only save the Air Force money, but will also put less of our Airmen at risk; and that is our main priority," Colonel Goodfellow said.