Operation Midnight Hammer & B-2 Spirit stealth bombers

On June 22, 2025, the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were involved in strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites under an operation dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer.” The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) confirmed attacks on its Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz sites, though it insisted its nuclear program would not be stopped. Both Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog reported no immediate signs of radioactive contamination around the three locations following the strikes.

About the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber:

• Advanced Strategic Weapon: The B-2 is one of America’s most advanced strategic weapons platforms, designed to penetrate sophisticated air defenses and deliver precision strikes against hardened targets, including deeply buried facilities.
• Cost: At approximately $2.1 billion each, it is considered the most expensive military aircraft ever built.
• Manufacturer: Made by Northrop Grumman.
• Production: Production began in the late 1980s but was curtailed by the fall of the Soviet Union. Only 21 were made after the Pentagon’s planned acquisition program was truncated.
• Range: It boasts a range of over 6,000 nautical miles (11,112 km) without refueling, enabling global strike capabilities from continental U.S. bases. With aerial refueling, it can reach virtually any target worldwide.
• Payload: Its capacity of more than 40,000 pounds (18,144 kg) allows it to carry a diverse array of conventional and nuclear weapons. Its internal weapons bays are specifically designed to maintain stealth.
• Stealth Technology: 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.

Operation Midnight Hammer:

• Targets: The strikes specifically targeted Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.
• Impact: U.S. officials claimed the precision strike “devastated the Iranian nuclear program,” though Iran denied significant damage. Initial assessments from the U.S. indicated “extremely severe damage and destruction” to all three sites.
• Undetected Entry: U.S. officials stated that the B-2 bombers entered and exited Iranian airspace undetected, with no Iranian fighter jets or anti-aircraft missiles responding. This was achieved through deception tactics and the B-2’s inherent stealth.
• Munitions Used: The operation involved dropping GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), also known as “bunker buster” bombs, particularly at Fordow and Natanz. This marked the first operational use of the 30,000-pound MOP. Cruise missiles from a U.S. submarine also targeted the Isfahan site.
• Scale: This was reportedly the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history and the second-longest B-2 mission ever flown. Seven B-2s were involved, supported by numerous other aircraft and aerial refueling tankers.

(Sources: AIR & Guardian)