Before launching strikes on Iran, the United States assembled one of its largest military buildups in the Middle East in decades. Washington moved aircraft carriers, stealth bombers, missile defenses and advanced surveillance aircraft into the region, signaling that a major confrontation was possible. US President Donald Trump warned that American forces were “locked and loaded,” and the strikes that followed turned that buildup into active combat operations. According to the US military, the campaign against Iran is being conducted under Operation Epic Fury. The US Central Command has released details of the sophisticated weapons and military platforms now being used in the conflict.
Stealth bombers leading the long-range strikes
Among the most powerful weapons in the American arsenal are the B-2 stealth bombers. These aircraft, often described as batwing-shaped bombers, are capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons. Each aircraft costs more than one billion dollars and can travel across continents with aerial refueling.
The B-2 bombers involved in operations against Iran normally operate from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. They were previously used in long-range strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities during a 34-hour round-trip mission last year.
During those earlier strikes, the bombers dropped the massive ordnance penetrator, a 30,000-pound bunker-busting bomb designed to destroy deeply buried targets such as nuclear installations. In the current campaign, the bombers have instead used 2,000-pound bombs to hit Iranian ballistic missile sites, according to the US Central Command.
New drone systems enter combat
The conflict has also seen the first combat use of a new American drone system called LUCAS, short for Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System.
The drone unit known as Task Force Scorpion Strike was activated in the Middle East last year to deploy these systems. The US military says the drones are intended to give troops an inexpensive but effective strike capability.
“TFSS is designed to quickly deliver low-cost and effective drone capabilities into the hands of warfighters,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The LUCAS drones are modeled after the Iranian Shahed 136 drones that Russia has widely used in the war in Ukraine. CENTCOM acknowledged the similarity and highlighted the symbolism of the system.
“These low-cost drones, modeled after Iran’s Shahed drones, are now delivering American-made retribution,” CENTCOM said in a social media post.
Aircraft carriers and warships in action
US naval forces are also playing a major role in the campaign. Two aircraft carriers were already in the region when the conflict began.
The USS Abraham Lincoln was deployed in the Arabian Sea while the USS Gerald R. Ford was positioned in the Mediterranean Sea near Israel. Aircraft carriers serve as floating airbases and allow the US Navy to launch combat aircraft without relying on land bases.
Fighter jets operating from the Lincoln include F/A-18 and F-35 aircraft. These jets have been shown taking off and landing on the carrier in videos released by the US military.
The US Navy has also deployed guided missile destroyers in the region. These ships are capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles against targets on land. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyers that operate in the region can carry as many as 96 Tomahawk missiles each.
These destroyers are also equipped with the Aegis ballistic missile defense system. This system allows them to intercept incoming missiles and protect aircraft carriers or nearby military bases.
Iran has claimed that its ballistic missiles struck the USS Abraham Lincoln. However, CENTCOM rejected that claim.
“Iran has claimed it hit the Lincoln with ballistic missiles,” the command said in a social media statement, calling the claim a “LIE.”
Missile defenses protecting US forces
American forces in the Middle East are also relying on advanced missile defense systems to counter Iranian retaliatory attacks.
Two key systems are the Patriot missile defense system and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, known as THAAD. These systems are designed to intercept ballistic missiles and drones before they reach their targets.
Patriot systems intercept threats at lower altitudes while THAAD interceptors destroy ballistic missiles at higher altitudes during their final approach.
The exact number of interceptors used so far has not been disclosed. However, analysts have warned that interceptor stocks could become strained if Iran continues launching large numbers of missiles and drones.
Fighter jets dominating the air campaign
A wide range of US fighter aircraft are taking part in the operations. These include F-16 fighters operated by the US Air Force and F/A-18 fighters flown by the US Navy and Marine Corps.
More advanced stealth aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II are also part of the mission. These jets are designed to penetrate enemy air defenses and conduct precision strikes.
The US military has also deployed A-10 attack aircraft, which are specialized for close air support and ground attack missions.
Electronic warfare and battlefield intelligence
Modern warfare depends heavily on electronic warfare and surveillance, and the US has deployed several aircraft dedicated to those missions.
One such platform is the EA 18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. Based on the F/A-18 fighter jet, the Growler carries equipment that can jam enemy radar systems, disrupt communications and locate electronic emissions from hostile forces.
These aircraft can also launch missiles that track radar signals, allowing them to destroy air defense systems.
Another critical asset is the Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft, commonly known as AWACS. The US Air Force operates the E-3 Sentry, while the US Navy uses the E-2 Hawkeye.
These aircraft carry large radar systems that can track aircraft and ships over long distances and provide detailed battlefield information to command centers and naval forces.
Surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft
The US has also deployed specialized intelligence aircraft such as the RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft. These large four-engine aircraft carry crews of more than thirty specialists who monitor electronic signals, communications and battlefield activity in real time.
Maritime surveillance aircraft such as the P-8A Poseidon are also operating in the region. Based on a Boeing 737 airframe, the P-8A is used for anti-submarine warfare as well as surveillance missions.
Another unique platform operating in the region is the EA 11 BACN communications aircraft. Often described as “Wi-Fi in the Sky,” the aircraft helps connect different military units by relaying communications between air and ground forces.
Drones and rocket systems on the battlefield
The US Air Force has also deployed MQ-9 Reaper drones. These remotely piloted aircraft are designed to track and strike high-value targets using Hellfire missiles and guided bombs.
On the ground, US forces are using the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS. Mounted on a truck platform, HIMARS can fire rockets with a range of more than 300 miles and quickly relocate after firing.
The manufacturer Lockheed Martin describes HIMARS as providing a “shoot and scoot” capability that allows it to strike targets and move before enemy forces can respond.
The logistics behind the campaign
Behind the combat operations is a large logistical network supporting US forces.
Air refueling aircraft such as the KC-135 and KC-46 tanker jets allow fighters and bombers to remain in the air for extended periods. This capability is essential for long-range missions and sustained combat operations.
Cargo aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster and C-130 Hercules have transported troops, equipment and munitions into the Middle East in preparation for the campaign.
Together, this vast network of bombers, fighter jets, drones, missile defenses and surveillance platforms forms the backbone of the US military campaign against Iran under Operation Epic Fury. As the conflict continues, these advanced systems are likely to remain central to Washington’s strategy in the region.
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