Note that the body of the bomb in that pic is blue. Means that it’s inert, concrete filled rather than high explosives. Precision kinetic death on demand.
Compared to other options, that’s a pretty cheap kill. And less of a risk to the launch platform than cheaper kills (like straffing or unguided rockets) because the platform can stay close to, if not out of, the envelope of MANPADS.
Beg to differ. Ain't the cost of the bullet that determines the total cost of the operation. Using the most expensive aircraft to throw spitballs, comparatively speaking, ain't the smartest thing to do. Wear and tear of engines and airframes of strategic weapons systems certainly not worth the effort of nailing pirates. Kind of like using Abrams tanks to chase and shoot up bank robbers.
Ending the piracy starts with oblitering their shore bases, their banking, links, their homes and families, their safe havens, and any one that trades with them. Kill them all. Make the piracy trade more dangerous to them than an Ebola epidemic or be prepared to see more turd worlders turn to piracy and hijacking. Right now the coastal Somali economy depends on these acts of piracy. And f*** their refugee status.
Better to use the B-1s to create a totally Somali-free zone 200 miles wide. That ain't going to happen, so we'll accept it as the cost of business til there's no longer any business.