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Coverage dated August 21, 2026

The B-1B Lancer Bomber Almost ‘Merged’ With an F-22 Raptor to Become a Mach 2.2 B-1R ‘Arsenal Ship’ the US Air Force Could Surely Use Right Now

Headline from 19FortyFive

Four F119 engines, a fighter's radar, AMRAAMs on reactivated hardpoints, and Mach 2.2 in exchange for 20 percent of the B-1B's range: Boeing's B-1R was the cheapest of three exotic bombers the 2006 defense review killed.

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  1. 19FortyFive

    The B-1B Lancer Bomber Almost ‘Merged’ With an F-22 Raptor to Become a Mach 2.2 B-1R ‘Arsenal Ship’ the US Air Force Could Surely Use Right Now (opens 19FortyFive)

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    19FortyFive's feed description

    Four F119 engines, a fighter's radar, AMRAAMs on reactivated hardpoints, and Mach 2.2 in exchange for 20 percent of the B-1B's range: Boeing's B-1R was the cheapest of three exotic bombers the 2006 defense review killed.

The B-1B Lancer Bomber Almost ‘Merged’ With an F-22 Raptor to Become a Mach 2.2 B-1R ‘Arsenal Ship’ the US Air Force Could Surely Use Right Now | Since Then