970823
Robins team delivering on B1-B modification program
by Tara Buckley
Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) -- The air logistics center here has
been right on target in a modification program which allows a new
cluster bomb to be dropped from the B-1B bomber.
Since the modification for B-1B bomb modules began in February 1996, 36
of the units have been delivered on time and within budget constraints.
The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center met the challenge of upgrading
each module from the original configuration of 28 nonconventional
500-pound bombs per unit to 10 1,000-pound conventional cluster bombs
per bomb rack.
The goal of completing 47 upgraded modules by September will be met,
said Capt. Dan Chandler, B-1B weapon systems engineer in the Space and
Special Systems Management Directorate.
Three prototypes went back to Rockwell for modifications, he added,
bringing the total to 50 refitted bomb racks -- enough to equip half the
B-1B fleet.
The new cluster bombs that will be stored in the modules are
multipurpose weapons.
"Each one consists of smaller submunitions," Chandler said. "Some
explode on impact, while others have a programmable delayed explosive
feature."
"Rockwell built the modification kits, but we got the contract to
install them," said Mervin Brantley, electronics equipment supervisor
with the Technology and Industrial Support Directorate.
Other organizations involved in the upgrade program are the 116th Bomb
Wing here; the B-1B System Program Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, Ohio, in conjunction with the B-1B System Support Management
Division, Tinker AFB, Okla.; Air Combat Command headquarters; Boeing
International, formerly Rockwell North American Aircraft Division; 7th
Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas; 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.;
McConnell AFB, Kan.; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; and the Defense Logistics
Agency.
The bomb module, which looks like a giant oil drum cut in half, must
first have small sections of its shell removed by sheet metal
specialists in the Technology and Industrial Support's Industrial
Products Division Structural Repair Section. Then a team of
electricians install the new wiring.
Several B-1B bombers are stationed here at Robins with the 116th BW.
The rest of the aircraft are located at Ellsworth, Dyess, Mountain Home
and McConnell.
Depot maintenance for the bomber is assigned to the Oklahoma City Air
Logistics Center at Tinker.