All you need to know about US B-2 bombers and bunker-busters used in Iran’s nuclear strike

The United States dropped six GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs in recent airstrikes on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility.

The aircraft allegedly flew non-stop for 37 hours from Missouri, refuelling mid-air, before targeting sites like Fordow.

The strikes were executed using B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, each capable of carrying two of the 30,000-pound (15-ton) bunker-buster munitions designed to destroy deeply buried and hardened targets.

The confirmation came after President Donald Trump publicly announced the operations on Truth Social.

US B-2 bombers

The Northrop B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American heavy strategic bomber, featuring low-observable stealth technology designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses.

A subsonic flying wing with a crew of two, the plane was designed by Northrop (later Northrop Grumman) as the prime contractor, with Boeing, Hughes, and Vought as principal subcontractors, and was produced from 1988 to 2000.

The bomber can drop conventional and thermonuclear weapons such as up to 500-pound class (230 kg) Mk 82 JDAM GPS-guided bombs, or sixteen 2,400-pound (1,100 kg) B83 nuclear bombs.

The B-2 is the only acknowledged in-service aircraft that can carry large air-to-surface standoff weapons in a stealth configuration.

How much does it cost to manufacture US B-2 bomber?

The US B-2 costs about $2.1 billion each, making it the most expensive military aircraft ever built.

The bomber, with its cutting-edge stealth technology, began its production run in the late 1980s but was curbed by the fall of the Soviet Union.

Only 21 were made after the Pentagon’s planned acquisition program was truncated.

The bomber’s range of over 6,000 nautical miles (11,112 km) without refueling enables global strike capabilities from continental US bases.

With aerial refueling, the B-2 can reach virtually any target worldwide, as demonstrated in missions from Missouri to Afghanistan and Libya and now Iran.

Its payload capacity of more than 40,000 pounds (18,144 kg) allows the aircraft to carry a diverse array of conventional and nuclear weapons.

The bomber’s internal weapons bays are specifically designed to maintain stealth characteristics while accommodating large ordnance loads which could include two GBU-57A/B MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator), a 30,000-pound precision-guided “bunker buster” bomb.

The B-2’s two-pilot crew configuration reduces personnel requirements while maintaining operational effectiveness through advanced automation systems.

The B-2’s stealth technology incorporates radar-absorbing materials and angular design features that minimize detection by enemy air defense systems.

Its radar cross-section is reportedly comparable to that of a small bird, making it nearly invisible to conventional radar.

Massive ordnance penetration (MOP)

The 30,000-pound MOP represents the largest conventional bomb in the US arsenal, specifically engineered to defeat hardened underground bunkers.

Its massive size requires the B-2 to carry only one or two MOPs per mission, but provides unmatched bunker-penetration capability.

The weapon’s 20.5-foot (6.25-m) length and GPS-guided precision targeting system enable accurate strikes against specific underground facilities.

Its penetration capability of over 200 feet through hardened concrete makes it effective against the world’s most protected underground installations.

Conventional payloads

Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) provide the B-2 with precision conventional strike capability against fixed targets.

These GPS-guided weapons can be deployed in large numbers, with the bomber capable of simultaneously engaging multiple targets with high accuracy.

Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW) extend the aircraft’s engagement range while maintaining stealth characteristics during approach.

These glide bombs allow the B-2 to strike targets from outside heavily defended airspace perimeters.

Nuclear payload capabilities 

The B-2 Spirit serves as a key component of America’s nuclear triad, capable of delivering strategic nuclear weapons with stealth and precision. The aircraft can carry up to 16 B83 nuclear bombs.

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