The US is relocating military airplanes in the middle of the Middle East. The B-2 has not come into play, but already intimidated

While Iran and Israel continue to exchange attacks, United States has begun to reinforce His military presence in Middle East. The Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegesh, confirmed last night Through a publication in X that he had ordered “the deployment of additional capacities” to protect his forces and improve defensive position in the region.

As detailed Media as Reuters and BBCthe deployment includes the USS Nimitz aircraft carriers, one of the key pieces of the US Navy. On board they can travel to 5,000 people and more than 60 aircraft, including fighters, light bombers and support planes.

They have also mobilized at least 30 cistern aircraftmostly KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-46 Pegasus, next to a fighter fleet composed of models such as F-16, F-22 and F-35.

HEREWORKS, fighters and a pending question: B-2

But in the midst of this climb, many looks are directed to an unknown that plans on the US strategy: will the bomber end up mobilizing B-2 Spirit? There is a clear reason for that question. This is the only aircraft under direct control in the United States that is certified to transport and launch the GBU-57/B MASSIVE ORDNANCE PENETATORa pump designed to pierce high depth underground structures.

That capacity is not a simple technical detail. According to various estimatesthe GBU-57 could be one of the few weaponss capable of reaching fordow, Iranian uranium enrichment installation excavated under a mountain, about 80 or 90 meters deep.

No one has confirmed it, but the B-2 Spirit already flies over the hypotheses. The simple possibility that the United States mobilizes it is enough to alter the strategic conversation. Justin Bronk, of the Royal United Services Institute, He made it clear: The current type of deployment is “highly indicative” that Washington is preparing to support “intensive combat operations” in the region.

The B-2 would be the strongest piece of that support. Its scope, 9,650 km without repostingallows you to operate from some key locations. He usually does it from Whiteman, in Misuri. Other options on the table are Fairford, in the United Kingdom, and Diego García, a remote base in the Indian Ocean leased by the United Kingdom to the United States.

The B-2 Spirit is not the fastest or newest bomber, but it is one of the most difficult to detect. Its steering wing -shaped design, added to special materials and a low flight profile, allows you to penetrate highly sophisticated air defense systems. It is precisely where its value lies: it can fly where others could not.

It measures 52 meters of wingspan and 21 meters long, and is propelled by four general electric F118-GE-100 engines. It has a 15,000 meter operational roof And, as we have seen, an Intercontinental Alance. Your load capacity Round the 20 tonsand can carry both conventional and nuclear armament.

It is created by two people, much less than in other heavy bombers such as B-1b or B-52, and its missions are coordinated from a limited network of strategic bases. Its maintenance is the responsibility of the American Air Force, with the support of contractors led by Northrop Grumman. There are only 19 active units.

The B-2 began to fly in 1989 and is not a resource that unfolds lightly. Its value is not only in technology that makes it undetectable, but in its ability to combine Stealth, scope and attack power On a single platform. It is, in many ways, the letter that is kept until the end.

Images | US Air Force (Via Wikimedia Commons) Northrop Grumman (1, 2, 3)

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