Subject:  C.4.  Why wasn't the B-1 or B-2 used in Desert Storm?

The B-1s weren't used for several reasons.  First, their primary mission is
(or was at the time) strategic nuclear strike; Pentagon policy was to keep
them in the United States as part of the strategic triad.  Second, at the time
(January 1991) the B-1s had not yet been fully cleared for tactical operations
with conventional weapons.  Third, there was no need for them -- the aircraft
already available, notably B-52s and F-117s, were perfectly capable of the
required missions, and sending B-1s over wouldn't have added enough capability
to be worth the extra maintenance involved.  Fourth, in late 1990 most of the
B-1 fleet was grounded anyway, due to engine problems.

No B-2s were in service at the time; only a single prototype was flying.

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