The U.S. Air Force’s B-2 Spirit stealth bombers spearheaded a high-impact mission on Saturday, striking three of Iran’s key nuclear sites. President Donald Trump confirmed the “very successful attack,” announcing that the Fordow facility—Tehran’s most fortified nuclear complex—was “gone.”
The B-2 Spirit, one of the world’s most advanced stealth aircraft, played a crucial role in this operation. Designed by Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), the B-2 is capable of penetrating advanced air defenses and executing precision strikes on hardened underground targets. Each aircraft costs around $2.1 billion and boasts a range exceeding 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, allowing for global reach from U.S. bases.
Reports indicate six bunker buster bombs were used, likely the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP)—the largest conventional bomb in the U.S. arsenal. Weighing 30,000 pounds, the GPS-guided MOP can penetrate over 200 feet of reinforced concrete, making it ideal for deep underground targets like Fordow.
The B-2’s stealth features include radar-absorbing materials and a design that reduces its radar cross-section to that of a small bird. This enables near-invisible operations in hostile airspace. Its 40,000-pound payload capacity supports a variety of armaments, including Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW), and the long-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM-ER).
Manned by a two-pilot crew, the B-2 also plays a critical role in the U.S. nuclear triad, capable of carrying up to 16 B83 nuclear bombs.
Saturday’s operation underscores the strategic reach and lethal precision of America’s stealth bomber fleet, signaling a major escalation in tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and reaffirming the B-2’s role as a cornerstone of U.S. global strike capabilities.