US Air Force Extends B-1B Sensor Sustainment to Keep Aging Bomber Fleet Mission Ready Through 2031

The U.S. Air Force has extended the sensor sustainment program for the B-1B Lancer bomber fleet to maintain mission readiness through 2031. The extension covers maintenance and support for onboard sensor systems critical to the aircraft's targeting and situational awareness capabilities. The decision reflects the Air Force's need to bridge the gap until the B-21 Raider achieves sufficient operational numbers, keeping the B-1B viable for conventional long-range strike missions despite the platform's advancing age and the prior reduction in fleet size.