The B-1s are actually a fairly cost-effective platform -total lifecycle wise. Part of this is that they were designed for the low-level penetration mission, which is significantly more stressful (wear and tear) than the mid to high profiles they’ve actually spent most of their lives flying.
What are the other options for really going after East African pirates? Carrier (CVN or LHA/LHD) fixed wing? Aegis cruisers/destroyers with guns and helos? LCSes with the same? Drones with Hellfires and LGBs? Anything else?
Seems that drones might be the only cheaper option than Bones (or B-52s) flying from Diego Garcia or Qatar. And assuming that they can operate from locations close enough to provide decent loiter time (since we’re talking armed Reapers and Predators and not Global Hawks ...)
And to add, even with a drone the concrete filled GBU is going to be cheaper than the Hellfire.
Wow! 37 posts to an article about pirates on “Talk Like a Pirate Day” and not one single “Aaarrrr!”
Amazing self-restraint shown by FReepers!