Associated Press,
RAPID CITY: A new weapons system has started arriving at Ellsworth Air Force Base. The Air Force says the base is storing its first shipment of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.
It's described as a 14-foot, 2,200-pound weapon that will be integrated onto some fighter and bomber aircraft, including the B-1 bomber. The base has 16 missiles and is slated to get 32 more this year.
The new missile increases the flexibility and capability of the B-1 bombers, Air Force officials said.
The weapon has pinpoint accuracy from long range and will cut down on collateral damage, according to Kevin Aipperspach of Ellsworth.
“This has the ability to fly right to a GPS point that we need it to be at and stand off at a greater distance than what have in the past,” he said.
