B-1 Conducts Wind Tunnel Tests

The Air Force's B-1B Lancer bomber — or at least a 1/10 scale model — is being used to conduct "store separation tests" in the transonic wind tunnel at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. It has been almost 20 years since the B-1B was involved in testing at Arnold, according to a recent release. It's back because of a new, differently shaped targeting pod design that has been introduced for the aircraft. Testing, which began in early 2019, will determine whether munitions will cleanly release from the bomber during flight with the new pod. Tests will ultimately involve five different weapons store models; one test method involves placing a store close to a weapons bay simulating its release. Testing is set to continue through mid-spring. Read more at AF.mil.