> Not sure what role this serves for the USAF. Long range anti-ship missile deployment over the Pacific. A design like this can cover large areas and deploy a

> Not sure what role this serves for the USAF. Long range anti-ship missile deployment over the Pacific. A design like this can cover large areas and deploy autonomous weapons from long range. Weapon development of the US military is almost entirely focused on China and its growing fleet. There are several air launched anti-ship missile platforms under development right now, including swarm attack, stealth and hypersonic missiles. The US is looking for an efficient, long range, high endurance standoff bomber for these systems. It doesn't need stealth; they'll operate from behind air defenses. It needs high efficiency, large fuel capacity and large payload capacity. And that is exactly what you're looking at here.