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.
The Collaborative Combat Aircraft will be operational in the late 2020s, several years before the Next-Generation Air Dominance family of systems, Air Force officials told the House Armed Services tactical aviation panel. The CCAs will first be “shooters,” then electronic warfare platforms, then sensors, in that order, they added.