U.S. deploys stealth bombers, cruise missiles, AI tools in sweeping strikes on Iran

The United States launched a broad assault on Iranian targets Saturday, deploying a mix of long-range cruise missiles, advanced fighter aircraft and, for the first time in combat, inexpensive one-way attack drones patterned after Iranian models.

U.S. Central Command released images of Tomahawk missiles along with F/A-18 and F-35 fighter jets, detailing the operation, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” which targeted Iranian military assets.

Artificial intelligence

The Pentagon incorporated artificial intelligence technology from Anthropic, including its Claude platform, during the operation, Reuters reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. It wasn’t immediately clear how the AI tools were used.

The disclosure comes shortly after the U.S. government designated Anthropic a supply chain risk, signaling potential national security concerns. President Donald Trump on Friday directed federal agencies to halt work with the startup.

Anthropic’s systems have previously been adopted across U.S. intelligence and defense agencies. The company was among the first AI developers to handle classified information under a cloud-based arrangement with Amazon (AMZN).

Bombers

As part of the escalation, the Pentagon dispatched B-2 stealth bombers from the United States to strike fortified, underground Iranian missile facilities using 2,000-pound bombs.

The B-2 Spirit, built by Northrop Grumman (NOC) at a cost of roughly $2 billion per aircraft, is designed to evade radar and penetrate heavily defended airspace. With a wingspan of 172 feet, the bomber can travel about 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, though most missions involve multiple aerial refuelings.

The aircraft previously carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure last June.

Drones

CENTCOM said it deployed one-way attack drones resembling the LUCAS system, or Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, produced by Arizona-based Spektreworks.

Officials described the drones as modeled after Iran’s Shahed designs, marking the first time the U.S. has used similar systems in combat.

These so-called kamikaze drones are relatively inexpensive and intended for large-scale production. The LUCAS platform is estimated to cost about $35,000 per unit.

The growing reliance on low-cost drones reflects lessons drawn from Russia’s war in Ukraine, where both sides have emphasized “affordable mass” by deploying large numbers of cheaper systems.

In addition to the low-cost platforms, the U.S. employed MQ-9 Reaper drones and counter-drone technologies.

Tomahawk missiles

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is a long-range, precision-guided cruise missile typically launched from ships or submarines for deep-strike missions. It can reach targets roughly 1,000 miles (ca. 1,609 km) away and is designed to operate in contested airspace.

Manufactured by Raytheon, a unit of RTX (RTX), the missile measures about 20 feet (6.1 m) in length, weighs more than 3,300 pounds and carries a conventional warhead.

Pentagon budget documents show plans to purchase 57 Tomahawks in 2026 at an average cost of about $1.3 million each. The Defense Department is also investing in upgrades to guidance and other systems, while a recent agreement with Raytheon aims to expand annual production to as many as 1,000 missiles.

U.S. and allied forces have previously tested and used GPS-guided Tomahawks in operations, including joint U.S.-U.K. strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.

Fighter aircraft

Photographs and video released by CENTCOM show F/A-18 and F-35 jets taking part in the strikes.

The F-35, a fifth-generation stealth aircraft made by Lockheed Martin (LMT), is designed to evade detection while carrying precision munitions. The U.S. has positioned the jet widely across the Middle East. It can also deploy specialized missiles capable of targeting enemy radar systems.

The F/A-18, manufactured by Boeing (BA), serves as a multi-role platform capable of conducting air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a range of bombs and missiles.

F-35 aircraft are also operated by Israel’s air force.