The U.S. Air Force has now used its B-1B fitted with an advanced targeting pod in anger for the first time.

The service reports that a B-1B fitted with the Sniper laser targeting pod delivered a GBU-38 during a mission in Afghanistan on August 4. The bomber belonged to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and is currently detached to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.

The pod is used both to spot and laser designate targets. Prior to use of the Sniper pod, B-1Bs relied on radars for near-precision bombings, but the electro-optical/infrared sensor capability allows the crew to see more targets. Moreover, ground controllers can look at the image and help identify targets.

The project to fit the Lockheed Martin system to the B-1B fleet was launched in July 2006 through an urgent need request from the field. Congress provided $24.7 million to get the integration done, the Air Force says. Arms control agreements had limited the use of external stores on the B-1B, so the Air Force had to get special approval for the upgrade it is making across a range of combat assets; A-10s, F-15Es and F-16s are using the Sniper as well. The Sniper was installed on the B-1B in April.

The Air Force had to modify the B-1B pylon to carry the 440 lb. pod, the service says. Modifying the bomber takes around 45 days, which was done at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.

All B-1Bs assigned to Afghanistan are supposed to receive the capability.