It is not at all difficult to imagine a future conflict in which the groups of strategic bombers B-1B Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress of the US Air Force (Air Force) will be tasked with hitting the same common sets of targets over a vast territory, writes The Drive.
“The Air Force has sharply shifted the focus of operations with bombers, globally, towards actions designed to contain or otherwise signal long-range US strike capabilities to potential adversaries, including Russia and China, as well as Iran and North Korea,” the American publication claims.
In a publication devoted to the joint flight of three strategic bomber B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress of the US Air Force, held in February, the purpose of such events is revealed – to study the possibility of joint actions of such aircraft, in particular, on the exchange data that can be used to guide missiles, such as the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).
In January, Air Force Magazine, referring to a statement by the United States Air Force Command in Europe and Africa, reported that the United States Air Force, together with NATO partners, conducted a “target designation in all spheres” in the Black Sea region. In particular, during the operation, the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters of the US Air Force worked out the strategies for using the AGM-158 JASSM.