Since the US launched “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran, the full triad of long-range strategic bombers, including the B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and B-52 Stratofortress, has been deployed to cripple Iran’s military infrastructure.
On February 28, the Pentagon kicked off the operation against Iran by launching joint strikes on targets inside Iran. It has since maintained that the campaign is aimed at degrading Tehran’s ballistic missile, drone, and naval capabilities, and targeting key elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and what is referred to by Washington as its associated terror networks.
Iran retaliated to Operation Epic Fury almost immediately, firing salvos of missiles and drones on US and Israeli targets, as well as on US military facilities and assets spread out across the Gulf. It has claimed to have downed more than 104 US drones.
As of March 13, the operation has delivered over 5,500 precision strikes on Iranian infrastructure, IRGC sites, missile and drone launchers, military bases, fixed-wing aircraft, and the Iranian leadership, according to reports. Notably, although the US President has indicated that he wants to end the war “soon”, he has also recently signalled that the operation may get much worse before it ends.
As the hostilities continue unabated, it is worth highlighting that the US Air Force (USAF) strategic bombers have been playing a central role in deep-strike missions in Iran by enabling long-range, high-payload attacks on fortified and hardened targets.
US Bombers In Action
The B-1B Lancer With A 40-Year Legacy
The USAF used the B-1B Lancers to carry out long-range deep attacks in Iran during the initial days of the operation, as previously reported by EurAsian Times. The strikes primarily targeted Iran’s ballistic missile launch locations, ballistic missile depots, and command-and-control centres.
The B-1B Lancer, a supersonic variable-sweep wing bomber, excels in conventional precision strikes with a massive payload capacity up to 75,000 pounds of munitions. It carries joint direct attack munitions (JDAMs), small-diameter bombs, and standoff weapons. It can perform a wide range of missions, including close air support, strategic bombing, maritime operations, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
The B-1B Lancer has had a significant impact over its four decades of service. It was originally created as a strategic bomber to get past Soviet air defences and deliver nuclear warheads far into enemy territory.
After entering service in 1986, it quickly became a crucial component of the US nuclear deterrence strategy.
As part of the nuclear triad, the B1B contributed to deterrence by providing rapid response capabilities against nuclear threats.’’
However, with the end of the Cold War, the B-1B transitioned to a conventional bombing role and excelled in that as well. It first saw combat during Operation Desert Fox in 1998 and later in NATO’s action in Kosovo.
The B-1B has also supported US and NATO military forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, showcasing its versatility and adaptability to new mission requirements. The aircraft has been continuously upgraded to meet modern combat needs. In fact, it is part of the US’s strategic deterrence missions, reinforcing the global rules-based international order.
“The B-1’s ability to deploy quickly, operate at supersonic speeds, and carry the largest conventional payload makes it inherently unpredictable to adversaries and a flexible combat asset,” Lt. Col. Ryan Stillwell had said earlier. “Whether it’s integrating with our allies or responding to our adversaries, the B-1 enables a forward presence alongside critical strategic reach. Our adversaries never know when or where a B-1 will show up, but they all know exactly what it can do when it does.”
Earlier this month, the Pentagon released footage showing B-1 operations alongside carrier-based launches from the USS Abraham Lincoln, highlighting integrated military operations.
Now, there is an indication that the bombers are expected to play a more intense role in the conflict after they were spotted being loaded with “bunker buster” explosives at Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in Britain.
The B-2 With A Devastating Capability
The US military started Operation Epic Fury by using B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to hit Iran’s ballistic missile sites with pinpoint accuracy. The bombers took off from Whitman Air Force Base in Missouri and dropped several guided bombs, probably different types like the GBU-31 with BLU-109 penetrator warheads, on Iran’s ballistic missile sites.
The B-2 is a low-observable, or “stealth,” aircraft that offers the USAF the remarkable ability to penetrate an adversary’s defences and threaten its carefully guarded objectives.
The B-2 has a significant advantage over other bombers in the US arsenal, thanks to its innovative combination of low-observable technology, excellent aerodynamic efficiency, and a huge payload. Its low observability allows greater flexibility, thereby increasing the aircraft’s sensors’ field of view.
Notably, the B-2’s low observability emanates from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual, and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for the enemy’s air defence systems to detect and engage the B-2. While most details are classified, we know the aircraft’s stealth is due to factors such as composite materials, special coatings, and its flying-wing design.
After Operation Midnight Hammer, which was launched in June 2025 to devastate Iran’s nuclear facilities, the B-2 has come to be known to the layman as the only aircraft in the USAF inventory to have the capability to carry the GBU-MOP monster bomb. In fact, there are speculations that the US has used the MOP on Iran’s facilities again, though CENTCOM has not acknowledged it.
In addition to carrying the MOP, the B-2 is one of three bomber types still carrying nuclear gravity bombs and is considered the most sophisticated in the US inventory. The B-2A Spirit stealth bomber was equipped with the B61-12 nuclear bomb, making it the first aircraft in the US Air Force (USAF) inventory to be equipped with the lethal weapon.
The B-2 was planned to be a fleet of 132 aircraft. However, the US Congress terminated the program after only 21 had been built, resulting in the cost per aircraft climbing to nearly US$2 billion. It is the most expensive military plane ever built, at about $2 billion per unit. Despite this high price tag, the aircraft continues to receive investment and upgrades due to its cutting-edge capabilities, which are a cornerstone of US combat operations.
The bomber is expected to be replaced by the upcoming next-generation B-21, but the US has invested heavily to keep it relevant and lethal. In fact, the US precision raids have crippled Iran’s long-range strike capacity, with reports of “nothing left” for key terror infrastructure, and the B-2 strikes alone accounted for high-value hits on command nodes, reducing Iran’s retaliation.
B-52: Old, Bold, And Mighty
Unlike B-1B and B-2, the B-52 is a new entrant into the scene of Operation Epic Fury. According to reports, six B-52s are currently stationed at Britain’s RAF Fairford facility.
While three bombers landed on March 9, three more arrived on March 13. These aircraft are expected to be used in long-range strikes on Iran as the conflict intensifies in the future.
The B-52, in service since 1955, is the oldest strategic bomber operated by the USAF. Powered by eight Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofan engines, the B-52H boasts a range of over 8,800 miles (14,162 kilometres) without refuelling.
This allows it to launch missions from distant, secure bases, such as RAF Fairford in the UK, while reaching deep into Iranian territory without needing forward basing near contested airspace.
The bomber is perfect for overpowering or saturating targets because it can carry up to 70,000 pounds of ordnance, including missiles, conventional bombs, and precision-guided munitions.
The bomber has a wingspan of about 185 feet, making it a ginormous aircraft with a unique swept-wing design. It is a powerful platform for long-range operations, capable of flying at subsonic speeds to altitudes of up to 50,000 feet.
The B-52H has seen action in nearly every major US conflict since the Vietnam War, from carpet bombing in Operation Linebacker II to precision strikes in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its psychological impact is undeniable—enemies know the “BUFF” (Big Ugly Fat Fellow) can deliver a devastating blow to adversaries.
Despite its age, the B-52H’s versatility, cost-effectiveness, and sheer durability keep it relevant in an era of stealth bombers and drones. As a multi-role platform, it supports nuclear deterrence, conventional strikes, and even maritime operations.
All three bomber operations represent the largest U.S. aerial commitment since the Gulf Wars, with Donald Trump recently indicating that the worst for Iran is yet to come. The combined onslaught by these bombers could certainly prove to be devastating for Tehran, as has been promoted by Washington since the beginning of the operation.
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