From The Archives: 40 Years Ago - USAF/Rockwell International B-1B's First Flight

Today, the U.S. Air Force is readying the B-1B bomber to serve as a testbed for hypersonic weapons in its sunset years prior to its scheduled 2031 retirement. 

But 40 years ago, when it graced the cover of Aviation Week’s Nov. 5 issue, it was still in the midst of its flight test program at Edwards AFB, California. 

This particular Rockwell International production aircraft made its first flight Oct. 18, 1984, at Palmdale, California. Initial checks of aircraft systems were conducted by the four crewmembers during the 3-hr. flight. 

The highly instrumented aircraft then went on to join the test program at Edwards.

Read the full issue: November 5, 1984 | Aviation Week

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