In regard to this article and some other things...
"The pod is not capable of detecting infrared strobes worn by U.S. troops. Inexplicably, the crew thought it could — with tragic results.'
Interesting because the B-1 carries the SNIPER pod on the forward right-side of the fuselage (photo link below). This is the exact same sensor technology that will be used by the F-35 in that forward bump under the nose. Renamed EOTS. (electro-optical, targeting system). However I suspect the way the SNIPER is mounted on the B-1, has a better field of view than the F-35 EOTS. So when the USMC declares IOC with their faulty F-35s in 2015, they not only won't have a gun, they will be very crippled trying to do any close air support...the bread and butter purpose of USMC tac-air. Also as we know the helmet for the F-35 is very faulty. Jury is still out if they will be able to graft on the same capability as night-vision goggles...that is reliable in a real mission. So... today's USMC Harrier (not my fav weapon system (I don't like STOVL fast jets)... brings more capability to a joint operational commander than the Just So Farcical.
Photo B-1 and SNIPER Pod....
Note also that article saying the B-1 had to make a lot of right turns. Well yes, note how the SNIPER pod is mounted on ...the right of the airframe....Left turns would give you less field of view for the pod. Super Hornets with ATFLIR and classic Hornets with LITENING (Canada: SNIPER/Pantera) have a similar problem....left turns. Notice this is why they don't carry a fuel tank on the left wing (asymmetric config) because it blocks the view of the pod for CAS missions. Photo - Super Hornet, ATFLIR on left waist... no left drop tank.... lots of left turns when using the pod to support CAS
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