The U.S. Air Force's B-1s Have A New Mission. Sinking Russian Warships

 

Forbes: U.S. Air Force Bombers Are Rehearsing Their New Main Mission—Sinking Russian Ships 

The U.S. Air Force’s 40-year-old B-1 bombers don’t have much time left. Worn out by the air campaigns over Iraq and Afghanistan, the B-1s are in line for replacement as the USAF’s new B-21 stealth bombers enter service over the next decade. 

But it’s clear what the B-1s will be doing in their final years—hauling stealthy anti-ship missiles to threaten enemy fleets. Dramatic exercises over the Black Sea in recent years have underscored the swing-wing bomber’s new maritime strike role. 

Four B-1s from the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas in early October deployed to the Royal Air Force base at Fairford. In the pre-dawn darkness on Oct. 19, two of the bombers took off for what would be a 12-hour mission. 

Clutching targeting pods under their bellies, the bombers code-name Dark 01 and Dark 02 flew east over the North Sea, topped off their fuel tanks courtesy of at least one USAF KC-135 from RAF Mildenhall then winged south, bound for the Black Sea. 

The Polish and Romanian air forces—as well as a Canadian air force contingent in Romania—seized the opportunity. All three air arms sent fighters to fly alongside the B-1s. In wartime, the non-stealthy bombers might need escort to protect them from Russian fighters.  

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WNU Editor: Russian media is taking note .... US Reportedly Plans to Use Ageing B-1 Strategic Bombers Against Russian Ships in Black Sea (Sputnik).