New U.S. Weapon Used For The First Time In Syria Attack
According to reports in the immediate aftermath of the attack, the strikes involved the first combat use of the JASSM advanced missile, reportedly fired from US B1-B Lancer heavy bombers.
The stealthy cruise missiles, which have a range of 230 miles (370km), can carry a 450kg warhead and use infrared sensors to guide themselves towards their targets. Each B1 can carry four.
The weapon, like others used in Saturday's strikes, can be delivered from outside the Syrian and Russian air defences meaning that the aircraft and ships involved would not be exposed.
The use of the JASSM - which first came into use nine years ago - would fit with Donald Trump's tweet this week warning Russia the US would respond with a "new" and "smart" missile.
The JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is an autonomous, long-range, conventional, air-to-ground, precision standoff missile for the U.S. Air Force and Navy. JASSM is designed to destroy high-value, well-defended, fixed and relocatable targets. JASSM's significant standoff range keeps Air Force and Navy aircrews well out of danger from hostile air defense systems. The missile's mission effectiveness approaches single-missile target kill capability. With this superior performance and affordable price, JASSM offers the best value of any weapon in its class.