I have to wonder what the real mission of the B1 Bomber is. I do not believe it to be just a bomber, though it probably does a fine job of it.

Years ago went to the aniversary air show at Edwards. You could walk up to just about any aircraft and touch it, inlcuding the new at-the-time YF22 and YF23 that were being evaluated. However, the B1 was across the tarmac with armed guards around it! That mutha sits waaaay off the ground, as if maybe it is a missile launch platform.

FWIW, we got there real early, maybe the 4th car at the gate waiting for it to open.

Got to see one each of the entire fleet take off one by one, including the SR71, B1, B2, B52, various fighters and trainers, piston and jet. Jaeger popped the sound barrier in a 16. And then one each of entire Air Force fleet fly by as a group in formation. Angle of attack on some of those jets was awesome as they had to slow way down to fly with the slower aitcraft.