Peter Skelton wrote:

Surface to air technology has improved to the point where a
Harpoon launcher can be at excessive risk. ISTM that the USAF
wants to stand back a bit farther.

Peter Skelton

Not many BUFF's around and even fewer of them with the ability to launch
Harpoon. With AMI all BUFF's can launch JASSM and it has a longer range
with a much larger warhead and some LO. Solve the moving target update
part and you have a pretty effective anti-ship weapon.

Michael Kelly
BUFF Flight Test Engineer