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The United States operates two types of long-range
strategic nuclear bombers: B-2 Spirit and B-52
Stratofortress. Both are capable of delivering nuclear
bombs (B61 and B83) and the B-52 can also deploy
air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM and ACM).
A third aircraft, the B-1, has been referred to by the US Air Force as a "conventional-only" bomber since 1994, when the Nuclear Posture Review decided to backfit the aircraft to deliver a wide range of conventional weapons. Since then the nuclear capability has been secretly maintained under a B-1 Nuclear Rerole Plan, but the 2001 Nuclear Posture Review finally decided to end bomber's nuclear capability.
The items in
the right-hand bar provide links to copies of FOIA
documents relating to nuclear bomber operations and
planning.
FOIA
documents
>>
The B-1B Nuclear Rerole Plan
>>
Briefing, Air Combat Command, Directorate of Plans and
Programs, "Bomber Capabilities: An Update to the
Warfighter,"
1998. [1.3 MB]
>> Air Combat Command, "Bomber
Modernization"
(12 Jan 1998).