The U.S. Air Force has brought a retired B-1B Lancer bomber back into operational service following an extensive regeneration process. The aircraft, previously stored at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, returned to flight after detailed maintenance and now supports the bomber fleet amid shifting long-term plans.
This marks the second such revival in recent months. The first, nicknamed Lancelot and tail number unspecified in recent updates, arrived at Tinker Air Force Base in February 2024 for programmed depot maintenance. It replaced a fire-damaged B-1B from Dyess Air Force Base, where repair costs proved prohibitive. A team from the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, Dyess 7th Bomb Wing, and Tinkers maintenance units restored it to flying condition before ferrying.
More recently, on May 6, 2026, another B-1B, tail number 86-0115 and nicknamed Rage, completed regeneration at Davis-Monthan. Photographed taking off on July 2, it ferried to Tinker for further updates and depot maintenance. Air Force Global Strike Command requested the effort to replace aircraft 86-0126, nicknamed Hungry Devil, which was undergoing heavy structures repair at Boeing-Palmdale. Analysis showed regeneration was faster and less costly than continuing the repair project.
These moves reverse earlier retirement plans for the B-1B fleet. The service now invests nearly $2 billion to extend B-1B and B-2 service lives into the late 2030s, bridging the gap until more B-21 Raiders enter service. Around 45 B-1Bs will receive $342 million in upgrades through 2037, averaging $7.6 million per aircraft, while B-2s get additional funding for sustained operations.
Meanwhile, Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota completed a $129.5 million runway reconstruction, allowing 17 B-1Bs from the 28th Bomb Wing to return from Grand Forks Air Force Base. The base prepares as the first main operating location for the B-21 Raider.