Built for the USSR, invisible today: B-2 bomber's stealth so sharp that Iranian radars mistook it for a bird
How the B-2 stayed hidden
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The U.S. used B-2 stealth bombers to attack Iran's nuclear sites, and Iran's radars didn't even see them. That's how stealthy the B-2 is — its radar signal is so small that Iranian systems thought it was a bird. The mission kept the element of surprise the entire time, as per the report by Business Insider.Seven B-2 bombers flew into Iran for 18 hours and dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs. Each bomb was 30,000 pounds. This was the largest B-2 strike in U.S. history and the second-longest B-2 flight ever, as stated by reports.The bombers were supported by F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning II jets, and surveillance aircraft. These support jets helped clear the skies of any Iranian fighter jets or missile threats. Iran didn't fire any missiles at the American aircraft.The B-2 is designed to be invisible to radar using a special flying wing shape.It uses radar-absorbing materials and edge design to reduce radar signals. It gives off such a small radar signature that it can look like a bird instead of a huge bomber. The B-2 also flies silently and very low, making it even harder to spot, according to the Business Insider report.Iran's air defense systems are old and not well-connected with each other. Israel attacked and weakened Iran's air defenses earlier this month. Because of those earlier strikes, the U.S. had an easier time getting through.Many radar sites and missiles had already been destroyed before the B-2s even arrived. Iran's mountain areas, like near Fordow and Natanz, made radar coverage worse and easier to avoid. The strike happened at night, making it harder for Iran's human radar operators to respond, as stated by Business Insider.The U.S. used total radio silence and misled the world about the timing. Trump said he'd take two weeks to decide — but the strike happened within days. Some U.S. jets flew the opposite way as decoys into the Pacific Ocean.Only a few top planners knew about the real attack direction — it was a top-secret trick. More decoy aircraft flew with the bombers as they entered Iranian airspace to distract Iran.The strike was called a major success by Trump. Still, it's not clear if Iran's nuclear program was actually stopped. Iran's scientists were likely evacuated before the strikes, and it's unknown where their nuclear material is, as per Business Insider.Israel started this with earlier attacks on Iran's nuclear program, and the U.S. joined in later. Israel targeted Iran's top scientists, commanders, and defenses. The Trump administration had preferred diplomacy before joining the military action, as per reports.Because the B-2's design makes its radar signal very small—like a bird.Seven bombers flew in for the mission.
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