Air Combat Command chief Gen. Ronald Keys is a big fan of the B-1B bomber, dubbing it recently a “Burger King jet” because “you can have it your way and load it however you want.” Keys, who was talking with airmen deployed to Southwest Asia, went on to declare the B-1B “can stay airborne for a long time and provides the precision and persistence we need.” SSgt. Jasmine Reif reports that the ACC boss also noted that USAF is working two upgrades that will improve the bomber’s ability to pass information to other airborne platforms and adding a laser pod for more precision. On the latter, he said, “We’re currently working through technical issues, and it’s just a matter of getting the pieces and parts and putting them on the airplane.”
In a pair of major contracts announced July 31, the Pentagon awarded a combined $7.8 billion for new missiles, including JASSM and AMRAAM.
