B-2 Stealth Bombers to deploy to UK as Washington intensifies campaign against Iran’s ballistic missiles

B-2 Bombers to deploy to UK as campaign against Iran’s ballistic missiles intensifies

US Air Force (USAF) Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are expected to land at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, UK, to join the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran, according to reports.

Citing unnamed senior Western officials, The Telegraph reported that air bases at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford are being readied for the arrival of B-2s — the $2 billion strategic bomber is also known as the world’s most expensive aircraft.

According to the outlet, the stealth bombers are due to land at RAF Fairford “in a matter of days” as Washington intensifies operations in the region.

USAF B-2 Spirits have already been used to hit Iranian ballistic missile facilities on Feb. 28 as part of the launch of Operation Epic Fury.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) in fact said that B-2 stealth bombers, which were equipped with 2,000-pound bombs, struck Iranian “hardened” ballistic missile sites.

On Mar. 1 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the US to use British bases for limited strikes on Iran’s missile capabilities. UK Defense Secretary John Healey stated Britain had “stepped up alongside the Americans.”

“Not Winston Churchill”

According to FOX News, Starmer said the authorization was granted to protect UK and US allies as the conflict escalated. He had previously said he would not allow American forces to use UK bases for offensive operations in the region.

Tensions have since been heightened in the UK after RAF Akrotiri, a key British military base on Cyprus island, was hit by a drone on Mar. 2, causing minor damage.

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) resembled an Iranian-made Shahed drone, similar to those used by Russia in Ukraine and by Tehran’s regional proxies.

After Starmer initially rebuffed a US request to use UK bases to attack Iran, US President Donald Trump had called Britain “uncooperative” and slammed Starmer as “not Winston Churchill.”

Britain’s agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands, home to the Diego Garcia base, to Mauritius, was also condemned by Trump.

The Spirit

The B-2 Spirit provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or “stealth,” characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy’s most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets. Its capability to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provides a strong, effective deterrent and combat force well into the 21st century as proved by the strikes against Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer last June.

The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers.

The B-2’s low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for the sophisticated defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2. Many aspects of the low-observability process remain classified; however, the B-2’s composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design all contribute to its “stealthiness.”

Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Missouri, is the only operational base for the B-2.

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force