Page 1 - Aerotech News and Review, March 19, 2021

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The EAGIL has landed:

Divested B-1B Lancer to become ground integration lab

Air Force photograph by May Straight
A recently retired B-1B Lancer, tail number 86-0099, begins to off-load its crew at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Feb. 23, 2021. The aircraft will become the Edwards Aircraft Ground Integration Lab,
or EAGIL, a non-flyable aircraft that will be used as an integration lab for future upgrades.

by Giancarlo Casem “EAGIL will be a non-flyable aircraft that aircraft,” Salas explained. able life allows us to prioritize the health of the
Edwards AFB, Calif. will be used as an integration lab for future up- A detailed review determined which aircraft fleet and crew training. Our ability to balance
grades,” said Stephen Salas, B-1 Platform Lead, systems needs to be maintained to allow air- these priorities will make us more capable and
A recently retired B-1B Lancer flew its final Global Power Bombers Combined Test Force. craft use for ground testing and other training lethal overall.
sortie and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, “We plan to do avionics software, weapon and uses. This review was used to establish regular “The divestiture of the B-1 is necessary in
Calif., Feb. 23, 2021. hardware testing, new equipment fit checks, maintenance schedules and help determine an- order for the Air Force to create an even more
The aircraft, tail number 86-0099, was one prototyping efforts and EAGIL will be used to nual support costs. The CTF intends to leave the lethal, agile and sustainable force with a greater
of the 17 Lancers to be retired by the Air Force. support weapon load training, egress training, 0099 “tow capable” so that the jet can be moved, competitive edge for tomorrow’s fight,” Ray
However, this particular aircraft will continue to as well as aircraft familiarization for new per- based on test requirements. added.
serve despite never flying again. 0099 is set to sonnel. Gen. Timothy Ray, commander Air Force 0099’s new role as the EAGIL will support
become the Edwards Aircraft Ground Integra- “EAGIL will save 100-200 days of scheduled Global Strike Command, recently said, planned testing needed to sustain and improve the
tion Lab, or EAGIL. downtime for our two flyable developmental test “Retiring aircraft with the least amount of us- B-1s warfighting capabilities for years to come.

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