Earlier this month, the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron, or TES, of the United States Air Force flew a B-1B bomber over the Gulf of Mexico to test the feasibility of using the swept wing aircraft to attack mobile sea targets.
According to a press release by Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, the squadron released six bombs as part of the test, including a laser-guided 500 lbs. GBU-54 as well as 500 and 2,000 lbs. joint direct attack munitions, or JDAMs.
Two photos captured during the test show a laser-guided GBU-10 bomb just a moment before impact above its intended mobile target-- a speed boat at sea. A second photo shows the targeted speed boat exploding in an epic fashion as it takes a direct hit from the bomb seen in the previous photo.
The B-1B bomber along with other bomber and fighter aircraft were part of a maritime tactics development and evaluation, or TD&E, which was used to observe and better understand the capabilities of the bomber aircraft.
"This evaluation solidifies what our crew members have already known, 'We can strike surface targets,'" said Lt. Col. Alejandro Gomez, 337th TES special projects officer said in the press release.
The 337th squadron will use the data gained from the TD&E to develop new tactics, techniques and procedures to use in combat in the future.
Take a look at the dramatic photos capture before and after the bomb’s impact above.
Air Force Blows Up Speed Boat Using Laser-Guided Bomb: Camera Capture Moments Before And After Impact [PHOTOS]
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