- By Shivangi Sharma
- Mon, 23 Jun 2025 10:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In one of the longest B-2 missions since 9/11, seven US stealth bombers flew a 37-hour round-trip mission to strike Iran’s deeply buried Fordow nuclear facility. Dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, the bombers took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and flew halfway around the world with multiple mid-air refuellings.
Despite its deadly capabilities and sleek design, the B-2 Spirit offers surprising onboard amenities. It includes a compact toilet, a microwave, and a mini refrigerator for long missions. The cockpit is also designed to allow one pilot to sleep while the other flies. These features make the B-2 a rare blend of cutting-edge military tech and practical endurance.
Billion-Dollar Machine
Each B-2 bomber costs over USD 2 billion. Entering service in 1997, it remains one of the most advanced stealth aircraft in the world. The US currently operates 19 of these bombers, following the loss of one in a 2008 crash.
The mission was carried out under near-complete radio silence, a hallmark of B-2 operations designed to minimise detection. The bombers' unique flying-wing design, lacking a traditional tail or fuselage, reduces radar visibility and enhances stealth performance.
Coordinated Strike With Support Aircraft
As the bombers approached Iranian airspace, they linked up with escort and support aircraft. Gen. Daniel Caine described the manoeuvre as a “tightly timed” and “complex” operation involving multiple platforms, all executed with minimal communication.
While the B-2’s primary function is to deliver precision strikes, including nuclear payloads, its ability to accommodate pilots on marathon missions is key to its strategic value. “These are not luxury accommodations,” an Air Force officer said, “but they’re essential for maintaining alertness and health.”
With the success of the Fordow strike, the B-2 reaffirmed its role as a global strike platform. Capable of flying anywhere on Earth from the US without stopping, the B-2 remains an irreplaceable part of America's strategic deterrence and global force projection.