'each B-2 Bomber Cost $2.2 Bn': Ex-iaf Officer Hails Us Strike Capability, Says It Costs A Lot Of Money

Former Indian Air Force serviceman Ajay Ahlawat connected Sunday highlighted nan standard and precision of nan US mission to onslaught 3 Iranian atomic facilities, noting that B-2 bombers flew complete 40 hours from Missouri to Iran and back, delivering weapons contempt nan cognition being reported unrecorded worldwide.

"B-2 bombers sewage airborne from Missouri successful USA. Flew complete 40 hrs. Delivered weapons complete Iran, and returned safely. This despite, nan full world reporting it live," Ahlawat wrote connected X, referring to nan US airstrikes that deed Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan atomic sites connected Saturday.

"Such capacity costs a batch of money. B-2 costs complete 2.2 cardinal per aircraft. GBU 57 costs 20 cardinal per bomb,” he added, pointing to nan disbursal and sophistication of nan onslaught mission.

All about America's B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers

The craft utilized — America's B-2 Spirit stealth bombers — are among nan astir precocious strategical platforms successful nan US arsenal. Each bomber, developed by Northrop Grumman, is estimated to costs astir $2.1 cardinal and tin transportation up to 40,000 pounds of weaponry while maintaining a debased radar profile.

A US official told Reuters that B-2 bombers were progressive successful nan strikes connected Iran's atomic sites. B-2 bombers flew from Whiteman Air Force Base successful Missouri, nan aircraft's only operational base, for a round-trip ngo lasting much than 40 hours.

The bombers targeted Iran's hardened atomic infrastructure pinch bunker-buster bombs, including nan 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, designed to onslaught fortified underground accommodation for illustration Fordow.

US President Donald Trump described nan onslaught arsenic a "spectacular subject success" and said Iran’s atomic enrichment capacity had been “completely and wholly obliterated." "Fordow is gone," he declared successful a station connected Truth Social.

Reuters reported that six specified bunker-busting bombs were dropped connected nan Fordow atomic facility, erstwhile considered nan astir heavy protected tract successful Iran’s atomic network. The B-2's scope of complete 6,000 nautical miles without refueling allows it to onslaught targets crossed nan globe. With aerial refueling, nan bomber tin deed virtually immoderate location, maintaining strategical scope from nan continental United States.

Its radar-evading features, soul limb bays, and automation systems let nan two-pilot craft to execute analyzable missions while remaining astir invisible to force aerial defenses. The B-2 bomber’s stealth creation uses radar-absorbing materials and cautiously engineered angles to trim its visibility to radar systems. Its radar cross-section is often compared to that of a mini bird, allowing it to run heavy wrong force territory pinch minimal discovery by accepted aerial defenses.

In summation to carrying accepted munitions for illustration JDAMs (Joint Direct Attack Munitions), JSOWs (Joint Standoff Weapons), and JASSMs, nan B-2 tin besides present up to 16 B83 atomic bombs, making it a captious constituent of nan US nuclear triad. Only 21 B-2s were built aft nan Cold War reduced request for long-range bombers. The first unit, Spirit of Missouri, was delivered successful 1993.

(With inputs from Reuters)