Ellsworth sends first B-1 for IBS upgrade

Pilots and weapons system operators from the 37th Bomb Squadron take notes during a step brief at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 30, 2015. The pre-flight briefing informs pilots of weather patterns, airfield conditions, and jet status, enabling them to safely and accurately fly the B-1 bomber. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Sadie Colbert/Released)

Ellsworth sends first B-1 for IBS upgrade

Capt. Brandon Packard, 37th Bomb Squadron weapons systems officer, climbs into a B-1 bomber at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., June 30, 2015 prior to flying it to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., to receive Integrated Battle Station systems upgrades. Ellsworth sent its first B-1 to Tinker for the upgrade to help modernize the aircraft by making it more user friendly for B-1 pilots and maintainers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Sadie Colbert/Released)

Ellsworth sends first B-1 for IBS upgrade

Published July 14, 2015
By Airman Sadie Colbert
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Ellsworth sent the first B-1 bomber in its fleet to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., for an Integrated Battle Station modification July 1, which will take more than eight months to complete.

The intent of the upgrade - which includes a Fully Integrated Data Link, a Vertical Situation Display Upgrade and a Central Integrated System Upgrade - is to help ensure the B-1 meets tomorrow's military demands and includes upgrading analog cockpit displays and connecting the B-1 to a global communications network.

"[The IBS] is going to improve the capability of a B-1 in the future by giving us an avionics advancement, which is going to let us understand and see what else is going on around us more effectively," said Capt. Brandon Packard, 37th Bomb Squadron weapons systems operator.

The three upgrades that comprise the IBS will potentially eliminate at least 30 minutes per ground test -diagnostic system checks that are similar to in-flight checks while reducing the risk of human error from having to key in each test function.

The FIDL is a modern data link communication network that allows real-time contact with many other aircraft, ground stations and allied forces to make missions run more smoothly.

The VSDU replaced the older VSDs with more reliable equipment that not only shows more information at a faster rate, but also offers more options to improve in-flight efficiency for the aviators.

The CITS modernized the old light emitting diode display computers that are used by flight and ground support personnel to identify and troubleshoot B-1 system irregularities.

"The B-1 is such a versatile weapon system that we need to be able to provide our reconnaissance and weapons delivery mission, but also be able to work congruently [and communicate] with our partners overseas," said Staff Sgt. Laura Schuelke, 372nd Training Squadron, Detachment 8, offensive avionics systems instructor who teaches maintainers how to work on the aircraft.

The modernization project for B-1s assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing is scheduled to continue through 2019, as Ellsworth follows Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, which is currently already using upgraded systems.