Air & Space Museum

Rockwell B-1A Lancer

Rockwell B-1A Lancer

Rockwell created the B-1A bomber in the early 1970s to meet a US Air Force requirement for a bomber combining the long range of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and the supersonic speed of the Convair B-58 Hustler, in order to replace them both. The result was a sleek, fast, four engine bomber with variable sweep wings that could deliver nuclear weapons at intercontinental distances. It also came with a very large price tag.

Rockwell built four B-1As, which began a test program demonstrating their ability to fly at Mach 2.2 (over 1,400 mph) at high altitude while carrying either conventional or nuclear weapons. As the B-1 fell farther behind schedule and budget overruns more than tripled the cost per airplane, the program came under scrutiny. In 1977, President Carter canceled the program, believing that the B-1’s vulnerability to new Soviet defenses and the capabilities of new American cruise missiles and development of a new secret stealth bomber canceled any benefits the B-1 might offer. President Reagan reinstated the B-1 program in 1981 with a new mission. Rockwell designed the new B-1B model to fly at low level and lower speeds with an emphasis on delivery of conventional weapons and cruise missiles. They built a total of 100 B-1B Lancers.

The B-1A had a number of unique design features that did not make their way into the B-1B, including variable aspect engine intakes which moved to give the best performance at a variety of speeds, and an escape capsule that would eject the entire crew together in case of an emergency.

This B-1A was the third aircraft built. The Air Force assigned it to Lowry AFB in 1989 to serve as a ground trainer for munitions loading procedures. It is on loan from the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Aircraft specifications:
Wingspan: variable from 78 ft 2 in to 136 ft 9 in (23.8-41.7 m)
Length: 150 ft (44.7 m)
Maximum speed: Mach 2.3 at 50,000 feet (1,450 mph; 2,334 km/h)
Maximum weight: 395,000 lb (179,169 kg)
Range: 6,100 mi (9,817 km)

Air & Space Museum Air & Space Museum

Lowry - Denver

Air & Space Museum

Upcoming Events

Saturday Mar 30
9:30AM TO 5:15PM
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Navy Showcase + “Top Gun: Maverick” Movie & Speaker

Navy Showcase + “Top Gun: Maverick” Movie & Speaker
Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 | 9:30AM to 5:15PM

This event is sold out. 

Join Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport for a full day showcase of Navy aircraft, along with an afternoon showing of “Top Gun: Maverick”!

Scott Kartvedt, a combat-decorated Blue Angel and stunt pilot for “Maverick” will be giving a special talk prior to the movie along with a Q&A session after the movie concludes. Aircraft on display will include an F-18, SNJ, T-34, SGS2-32 Navy Glider and more!

Food Truck*: 2 Salty Sarges
*Food is not included with admission.

Limited seating available, pre-purchase tickets are required.

Ticket Pricing:
Adult: $20
Military/1st Responder/Senior: $15
Child: $10
Wings’ Member Adult: $15*
Wings’ Member Military/1st Responder/Senior: $10*
Wings’ Member Child: $5*
*Wings’ Members: Sign in to receive your discount. 

Photo above courtesy of Barbara Hoversten.

Saturday Mar 30
10:00AM TO 1:30PM
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Private Pilot Ground School Begins

Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 | 10:00AM to 1:30PM

Saturdays 3/30/24 – 5/18/24
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

This 8-week Ground School will cover the subject areas of the FAA Private Pilot Aeronautical Knowledge Exam. 

This course is taught by Certified Instructors, and materials are included! Classroom ground instruction offers a great way to start training as efficiently and economically as possible, providing a significant cost savings versus one-on-one lessons.

This session is full with a waitlist. To join the waitlist, please click here.

Topics include:

  • Aircraft Systems
  • Aerodynamics
  • Airports and Airspace
  • Flight Physiology
  • Performance Calculations
  • Navigation
  • And More!

Pricing:

Non-Member | $350.00 per registrant

Member | $300.00 per registrant

 

Please Note:

Students should bring a notebook and/or a personal device for notetaking.

Participants must be 14 years or older.

Monday Apr 1
2:00PM TO 5:00PM
Air & Space Museum

Sensory Friendly Hours

Sensory Friendly Hours
Monday, Apr 1, 2024 | 2:00PM to 5:00PM

Join us to experience the museum turned down and participate in sensory friendly activities including a scavenger hunt, discovery carts, STEAM and sensory activities and more!

We are pleased to offer a more comfortable museum experience for our friends who have sensory processing sensitivities and their families. We welcome families with children, teenagers and adults on the autism spectrum, with sensory processing disorders and other cognitive disabilities to experience our museum in a lower sensory environment.

Admission is FREE for children or adults with sensory processing sensitivities and their families. Please pre-register at the link below.

Register Here

Click here to learn more about accessibility, amenities and view a social narrative and map for your visit to the Air & Space Museum.

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