The US Air Force has ordered all Rockwell B-1B Lancer bombers grounded, not flying missions, after a routine inspection found problems with the ejection seat system.
This time the problem is in the parachute of the ejection system, which could present problems during use, and different from the problem that arose less than 12 months ago.
“When these inspections are completed and any issues are resolved, the aircraft will return to flight”, said the USAF without stipulating a deadline for this.
The USAF stressed that the measure was taken as a precaution, and the entire fleet will be inspected. On the last occasion, the escape hatch opened without being operated, but the seat was not ejected, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Midland, Texas.
The USAF currently uses the B-1B to launch long-range, high-precision missiles, and has already disqualified the bomber from flying nuclear bomb missions.
