Well known for its track record in campaigns against land-based targets in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, the long-range, supersonic B-1B Lancer is also capable of conducting effective anti-ship warfare.

With a range of 9,500km, a top speed of Mach 1.25 and the largest weapon payload capacity in the US Air Force inventory, the B-1B Lancer is the "backbone" of the United States' long-range bomber force.

The supersonic, variable sweep wing heavy bomber was designed to fly at extremely low altitudes with reduced radar visibility, according to the US Air Force.

Known as the "Bone," the B-1B holds more than 60 world records for speed, payload, range and time of climb in its class.

According to the Air Force, the Lancer can "rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time."

That also includes targets at sea.

The B-1B can carry up to 34,000kg of ordnance, including up to 24 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs), a low detection, air-launched cruise missile designed to strike a wide range of targets.

That means it can also carry the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), the anti-ship version of the extended range JASSM-ER.

Complemented by the B-1B's long loiter time and high-precision radar targeting system, the LRASM can be guided by its launch aircraft to enemy ships as far as 200 nautical miles (370.4km) away.

The LRASM incorporates a new weapon data-link and altimeter and an uprated power system, and can be directed to attack enemy ships by its launch platform, receive updates via a two-way datalink or use onboard sensors to find its target.

Quickstrike sea mines

The B-1B's anti-ship capabilities go beyond extended range and precision strike.

It can carry up to 84 Mk62 Quickstrike sea mines, a 227kg shallow-water mine used to target both surface and submarine vessels.

Dropped from aircraft, the mines land on the seafloor at depths of 12–61 meters.

About one quarter of the Red Sea is less than 50 meters deep, and Iran's naval port of Bandar Abbas has a narrow channel of 249 meters and a depth of only 13.5 meters.

A single B-1B can also carry eight 907kg Mk65 Quickstrike mines.

As opposed to the thick-walled Mk62 mine, the Mk65 employs a distinct, thin-walled mine case, leaving more room for explosive filler.

It also includes a special arming device, a nose fairing to reduce wind resistance and a tail section with the option for adaptation to a parachute.