How the B-1 bomber could sink an aircraft carrier - and anything else at sea

The U.S. Air Force’s 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., could become the first Rockwell International B-1B jet bomber unit to receive the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C long range anti-ship missile (LRASM). Crews at the base started to train on the new weapon in July. The addition of the AGM-158C would give the venerable B-1B a new maritime strike mission. "It’s designed to specifically to go against ships and it increases the B-1’s lethality and the range at which we can employ this,” says Col. John Edwards, commanding officer of the 28th Bomb Wing. The B-1B is entering the last stage of its service life. The Air Force expects to retire its 66 B-1B and its 20 Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit bombers in favor of the new Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The last B-1B will likely leave service by 2036 when Air Force strategic bomber fleet will consist of the B-21 and long-serving Boeing B-52.