B-2 bombers, Tomahawk missiles, Claude & more: How US attacks on Iran unfolded in first 24 hours

The United States deployed immoderate of its astir precocious subject exertion successful strikes against Iran arsenic portion of Operation Epic Fury connected Saturday. Israel besides joined US successful the strikes and deployed its afloat subject musculus successful the high-profile coordinated attacks against Khamenei-led Iran, with its Operation Lion's Roar.According to Reuters, the US subject utilized its B-2 stealth bombers, artificial quality services from Anthropic, and caller LUCAS termination drones.In a societal media post, US Central Command (CENTCOM) listed the instrumentality utilized and provided details of the strikes."US Central Command (CENTCOM) commenced Operation Epic Fury astatine the absorption of the President of the United States. CENTCOM forces are striking targets to dismantle the Iranian regime's information apparatus, prioritising locations that airs an imminent threat," US subject said connected X.

Complete database of subject apparatus utilized by US

Artificial intelligenceAccording to the Reuters report, the Pentagon utilized artificial quality services from Anthropic, including its Claude tools, during the onslaught connected Iran, a root acquainted with the substance said. However, it was not instantly wide however the tools were utilized successful the warfare effort. The Pentagon and Anthropic did not respond to requests for comment.Notably, a time earlier the operation, the US declared Anthropic a proviso concatenation risk, implying it posed a imaginable menace to nationalist security. US President Donald Trump connected Friday besides directed the authorities to halt moving with the start-up.

Anthropic had antecedently go 1 of the archetypal AI companies to grip classified accusation done a proviso statement with unreality supplier Amazon.BombersAs the Pentagon intensified its bombing campaign, it deployed B-2 stealth bombers from the United States to onslaught hardened, underground Iranian rocket facilities utilizing 2,000-pound bombs.The B-2, a US$2-billion flying-wing craft built by Northrop Grumman, played a cardinal relation successful strikes connected Iran’s atomic sites past June.

With a 52-metre wingspan and a stealth illustration designed to evade radar, the bomber tin alert astir 6,000 nautical miles without refuelling, though astir missions necessitate aggregate mid-air refuelling operations.DronesThe US subject said it utilized termination drones that look identical, based connected Pentagon-released photos, to the LUCAS (Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System) manufactured by SpektreWorks. The institution did not respond to requests for comment.In a first, US Central Command said it deployed one-way onslaught drones modelled connected Iran’s Shahed drones.Kamikaze drones are comparatively inexpensive and designed for accumulation by aggregate manufacturers, the Pentagon has said. The LUCAS costs astir US$35,000. Drones person go progressively cardinal to modern warfare, peculiarly since Russia’s penetration of Ukraine accelerated a displacement toward an “affordable mass” strategy — maintaining ample stocks of comparatively low-cost weapons.The US besides deployed much costly MQ-9 Reaper drones, on with counter-drone systems.TomahawksThe Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is simply a long-range cruise rocket typically launched from oversea during deep-strike missions. The precision-guided rocket tin deed targets up to 1,600 km away, adjacent successful heavy defended airspace. It measures 6.1 metres successful length, has an 8.5-foot wingspan, and weighs astir 3,330 pounds (1,510 kg).The rocket is produced by Raytheon, a portion of RTX. It is conventionally equipped and tin beryllium launched from onshore oregon sea. According to Pentagon fund documents, the US plans to acquisition 57 Tomahawks successful 2026.Each rocket costs an mean of US$1.3 million. Additional funds are being allocated to upgrade the weapons, including improvements to their guidance systems. A caller statement betwixt Raytheon and the Pentagon aims to summation accumulation to 1,000 units annually.US and allied forces person flight-tested GPS-enabled Tomahawks and utilized them operationally, including erstwhile American and British navies launched the missiles astatine Houthi rebel targets successful Yemen.Fighter jetsUS Central Command released photos and video showing F/A-18 Hornet and F-35 Lightning II jets progressive successful the strikes connected Iran.The F-35 is simply a fifth-generation stealth combatant susceptible of evading radar detection portion carrying precision-guided munitions. The United States has deployed the craft extensively crossed the Middle East. The F/A-18, manufactured by Boeing, is simply a multi-role combatant susceptible of conducting some air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a scope of bombs and missiles.F-35s tin transportation a wide array of rocket systems, including those designed to find and destruct radar installations. The craft is besides operated by the Israeli Air Force.