[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6456-S6457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                THE FUTURE OF THE B-1B BOMBER IS SECURE

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, last week the Pentagon released a much-
anticipated report by the Institute for Defense Analyses [IDA] on our 
Nation's heavy bomber force structure. This report, the heavy bomber 
study, examined the deployment options of our long-range heavy bomber 
forces--in association with additional tactical forces--under the 
circumstances of two hypothetical, nearly simultaneous world conflicts. 
To date, the IDA study is the most comprehensive, in-depth analysis of 
the use of our Nation's three heavy bombers--the B-1 bomber [B-1B], the 
B-2 stealth bomber, and the B-52--in a conventional war-fighting role.
  I am pleased that the IDA study confirmed what I have said for quite 
some time: The B-1B is an efficient and effective long-range bomber, 
and it can be used successfully as the centerpiece of American airpower 
projection. The IDA study suggests that planned conventional upgrades 
to the B-1B would be more cost-effective than purchasing 20 additional 
B-2 bombers. Further, the study recommends that remaining B-2 bomber 
production preservation funds should be reallocated to other weapons 
and conventional upgrades. That would allow for a total bomber force 
consisting of 95 B-1B's, 66 B-52's, and 20 B-2's.
  As my colleagues know, the B-1B was developed and built at the height 
of the cold war. Thus, it was anticipated that
 its function would be limited to meeting one of several nuclear 
options. However, the B-1B has shown to be an effective conventional 
force component--a testament to designers, Air Force strategists and 
pilots who recognized the versatility of this aircraft.

  Time and again, the B-1B has had to meet new challenges. For example, 
the 1994 congressionally mandated assessment test of the B-1B, 
performed by the 28th Bomber Wing at Ellsworth Air 
 [[Page S6457]] Force Base and code named the Dakota Challenge, 
measured the readiness rate of one B-1B bomber wing when provided fully 
with the necessary spare parts, maintenance equipment, support crews, 
and logistics equipment. The Dakota Challenge found that a fully funded 
B-1B wing could maintain an unprecedented 84 percent mission capable 
rate. In addition, improvements were seen in other readiness 
indicators, including the 12-hour fix rate--a measure of how often a 
malfunctioning aircraft can be repaired and returned to the air within 
one half day.
  By meeting a number of different challenges, the B-1B has earned 
justifiably the designation as the workhorse of the heavy bomber fleet.
  Based on the analysis of the IDA report, the B-1B should assume a 
prominent role in our Nation's defense. The study recognizes that 
maintaining the B-1B as the workhorse of the heavy bomber fleet would 
yield the highest return on our defense investment and render the most 
cost-effective contribution to our Nation's heavy bomber requirements. 
With continued investments in weapons upgrades, I believe the B-1B will 
be an outstanding and effective conventional heavy bomber capable of 
projecting America's air power into the next century.
  Mr. President, over the next several decades, the United States 
increasingly will be forced to respond rapidly and decisively to 
regional security threats around the globe. Holding 36 world records 
for speed, payload, and distance, the B-1B is uniquely suited to 
meeting our Nation's present and future defense challenges. In this 
period of budget constraints, I urge my colleagues to consider 
carefully the recommendations in the IDA Heavy Bomber Study before 
casting their vote on any defense measures affecting our heavy bomber 
force structure.


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