T
he B-1B bomber, commonly called “Bone,” has dropped more bombs than any other aircraft since the global war on terror began, says Lt. Col. Michael Eliason, director of operations for 9th Bomb Squadron at Dyess AFB, Tex. “We’ve become an exceptional close air support asset and are often the weapon of choice because of our loiter capability and payload,” asserts Eliason. The Bone, which holds 100 world records for speed, payload and distance, can carry more weapons—guided or unguided—and can fly low level or high altitude at 900 plus miles per hour.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
