The US Air Force’s Global Strike Command (AFGSC), tasked with overseeing every bomber fleet in the Air Force, ordered a stand-down for all its B-1B Lancers Thursday amid safety concerns with a component of their ejection seats.
The safety issue came mid-flight after a B-1B nicknamed “Bone” took off from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas. Airplane made an emergency landing. “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,” a Friday AFGSC press release stated. The emergency landing was conducted at Midland International Air and Space Port on May 1. The bombers will return to flight “as issues are resolved [with the] aircraft.” The spokesperson noted that the order to ground the B-1 fleet was issued on June 7 and will be effective until all problems are resolved.
Manufactured by Rockwell, now a part of Boeing, the B-1B Lancer entered service with the US Air Force in 1986 as a supersonic, nuclear-capable heavy bomber. Lancers were also involved in the United States' missile strikes on Syria in April.
