Key Points – The United States Air Force’s small fleet of just 19 B-2 Spirit stealth bombers is facing renewed demand amid global crises, particularly the Israel-Iran conflict.
-The B-2 is the only aircraft capable of delivering the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a “bunker-buster” bomb necessary to destroy Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities like Fordow.
B-2 Bomber Attacking with Bombs. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
-The original plan to build 132 B-2s was slashed to 21 after the Cold War, a “peace dividend” decision that now seems short-sighted. As Israel’s strikes continue, the B-2’s unique capabilities may be required to eliminate the most hardened Iranian targets.
The Stealth B-2 Bomber: The Air Force Could Use More Right Now
The United States Air Force currently has only 19 B-2 stealth bombers, a number it likely regrets, as the short-sightedness of high-ranking service and government officials has left the Air Force with a deficit in bombers.
Initially, the plan was to build 132 B-2s, with a later reduction to 75. After the end of the Cold War, the order decreased to 21. Since then, the number has further reduced, with two aircraft lost in accidents.
With belligerent actions by China and Russia, and now with the Israeli bombing of Iran, the demand for the B-2 is going up, especially with Israel lacking the ability to penetrate the deep bunkers where Iran hides its nuclear enrichment facilities.
The B-2 Spirit could fly to Iran from its home base in Missouri, as it has a 7,000-mile range before needing to refuel.
B-2s Are Still Outstanding Bombers, But There Aren’t Enough
The B-2 is still one of if not the, stealthiest bombers in the world (not counting the forthcoming replacement, the B-21 Raider). However, the Air Force only has 19, which isn’t nearly enough, especially if the US becomes involved in a war with China.
This reduction, stemming from budget cuts and the end of the Cold War, leaves the Air Force with a smaller number of stealth bombers than initially envisioned, which impacts its ability to conduct large-scale, long-range strikes against potential adversaries such as China and Russia.
A significant air attack campaign against an advanced near-peer adversary would require a large number of attacking bombers spread across a wide combat envelope to achieve the desired effect. Russia and China are vast countries with many air defenses dispersed throughout their territories, protecting vital assets.
A B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, assigned to Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, prepares to take off at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, on March 20, 2020. The aircraft is deployed as part of Bomber Task Force Europe, which tests the readiness of the Airmen and equipment that support it, as well as their collective ability to operate at forward locations. U.S. Strategic Command routinely conducts such operations across the globe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to collective defense as these aircraft, Airmen and key support equipment from Whiteman AFB, Missouri, integrate with Geographic Combatant Command operations and activities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Colton Elliott)
An initial high-altitude bombing strike would need to cover a wide area to disable any dispersed yet increasingly interconnected network of air defenses, ensuring effectiveness in establishing air superiority.
The B-2’s role becomes further complicated by the impending introduction of the B-21 Raider, which will eventually replace the B-2 but is not yet fully operational.
The B-2 Spirit is powered by four General Electric F118-GE-100 engines, each with over 17,000 pounds of thrust. Its ceiling is 50,000 feet, and it can carry conventional or nuclear weapons.
The Bunker Busting Bomb Needed In Iran
President Trump has been very clear for 10 years that Iran can never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon. Iran wants to build nukes and is working on Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
One of the weapons carried by the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordinance Penetrator, a 30,000-pound bunker-buster weapon.
That weapon’s unique capabilities could significantly enhance the effectiveness of an American strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, and each B-2 bomber can carry two of the bunker-buster bombs.
President Trump Tried To Work A Peaceful Solution
The president has made it clear that he didn’t want to go to war with Iran and that a peaceful solution could be worked out.
“My big preference—and I don’t say this through strength or weakness—my big preference is, we work it out with Iran. But if we don’t work it out, bad, bad things are going to happen to Iran.”
A B-2 Spirit makes a low pass flyover during the 2024 Warriors Over the Wasatch Open House and Air Show June 29, 2024, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The B-2 Spirit, the predecessor to the new B-21 Raider, has been the U.S. Air Force’s premiere stealth bomber for more than 20 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs)
However, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran had responded through Oman, an intermediary, to a letter from Trump calling for nuclear talks. He said Iran rejects direct talks with the US.
Trump held Israel back from attacking the nuclear sites and gave Iran 60 days to make a deal. On Day 61, Israel struck and decimated Iran’s air defenses. But Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear site, Fordo, was built deep inside a mountain to protect it from an attack. Only the US military has the 30,000-pound bunker-busting bomb capable of even reaching it.
This falls to the B-2 stealth bomber, or perhaps a B-52 strike, but overflying Iran, the US would not want to risk the B-52 being shot down. So, now, all eyes are focused on the B-2s’ base in Missouri.
All signs are pointing towards the US gearing up to help Israel eliminate the nuclear threat once and for all. The Iranian regime has been killing Americans for 47 years. A nuclear Iran with ICBMs would target Israel and the US.
That isn’t up for debate; Iran has been saying it for years, “Death To America” is not just a slogan; they are a serious threat to both countries. It will happen if the world turns a blind eye.
The Trump administration has given the Iranians chances to make a deal. But sadly, those days are now at an end, and more death and suffering will continue.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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AJ
June 21, 2025 at 4:56 pm
That’s a load of crap. Intelligence communities worldwide unanimously agreed in 2007 that since 2003, Iran has not had a nuclear weapon programme. I am not a fan of their domestic policies, but Iran were and have been pursuing a civilian nuclear power programme, not weapons (probably because as a fossil fuel state they are very aware their oil and gas isn’t going to last forever).
Israel on the other hand have definitely got nuclear weapons, and yet there is no no proliferation treaty they are forced to sign, no sanctions against them ostensibly because Trump has decided he doesn’t like them. Why are they allowed to have nuclear weapons outside international nuclear treaties?
Israel attacking when Iran were about to go into the next round of talks was nothing but cowardly, by both Israel and Trump – Trump pretending he didn’t know this was going to happen and Israel literally went and bombed the nuclear diplomacy process that was ongoing and that Iran was fully engaging with.
And now Trump is so clearly afraid of making the wrong decision – he’s not displaying any of the confidence and decisiveness that he is apparently known for, or he would have decided by now. He thought Iran would be cowed by Israel’s “might” (the US’s might, let’s be honest) and they are rallying to the flag and bloodying Israel’s nose instead.
Oh and “Death to America”? That’s a literal translation, Iranian sources translate it as “Down with America” – because it is not referring to US citizens or US land, or some mad dream of entirely destroying America as a country.
It is down with the America that they have experienced and watched their neighbours in the region experience.
It is down with American foreign policy, particularly in the Arabian peninsula and around the Arabian Gulf. The fake reasons for invading Iraq (that you parrot in your call above to go and start another disastrous war for the US and the world – or have you forgotten that disastrous 2003 invasion, the conclusion that they did not in fact have WMDs, it eventually coming out that they knew there were no WMDs and lied as an excuse to unilaterally decide to remove the system of governance in another country), the war crimes, the civilian killings covered up, you know at least some of what US troops have gotten caught doing and know there was a hell of a lot more they got away with.
How would you react to a foreign power invading your land and using their superior forces/firepower/technology to oppress your fellow citizens?
Jonhy
June 22, 2025 at 4:35 am
Official number might be 19 b2s but I strongly believe the real number is much higher.
kb
June 23, 2025 at 11:32 am
“The president has made it clear that he didn’t want to go to war with Iran and that a peaceful solution could be worked out.”
Strong disagree
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