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US Air Force unveils B-2 stealth bomber's anti-ship missile capability
The US Air Force announced that the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber can now launch the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). Tested in an exercise in the Western Pacific, this capability is seen as a strategic step against China's expanding navy.
The US Air Force announced that the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber can now strike enemy warships with the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). The announcement was made on Monday following an exercise in the Western Pacific.
Tested in an exercise
As part of Exercise Valiant Shield 26, a B-2 launched an LRASM during a sinking exercise north of the Mariana Islands. The exercise involved US and allied forces.
General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander of Pacific Air Forces, said, "The B-2's impressive performance underscores the US military's commitment to adaptability and flexibility in the face of emerging security challenges."
A step against China's expanding navy
The Pentagon states that China's rapidly growing navy would be one of the biggest threats in a potential Indo-Pacific conflict. China's warship count is expected to rise from 370 to 435 by 2030, while the US Navy has approximately 291 warships.
China has yet to field its long-awaited H-20 stealth bomber. This gives the US an operational advantage over its rival.
USS Juneau sunk
In the exercise, the USS Juneau, an amphibious warfare ship commissioned in 1969 and decommissioned in 2008, was used as a target. The ship was sunk on June 27-28 through coordinated air, surface, and underwater attacks. A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine delivered the final blow with a torpedo.
B-2's Iran operation
B-2 stealth bombers were most recently used in Operation Midnight Hammer against nuclear facilities in Iran. Aircraft flying from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri dropped 30,000-pound GBU-57 bombs, used in combat for the first time.
Future: B-21 Raider
This new capability of the B-2 also offers clues for its successor, the next-generation stealth bomber B-21 Raider. The B-21 is expected to enter operational service in 2027. While the Air Force has not disclosed which anti-ship weapons the B-21 will carry, it is designed to use a wide range of conventional munitions.
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