B-2 Stealth Bomber Deployed in Strikes on Houthis Built to Hit the Toughest Targets.

The U.S. military launched a series of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Wednesday, using the B-2 stealth bomber in the operation. The Pentagon confirmed that the B-2 Spirit was used to target underground sites, showcasing its long-range precision and ability to hit the most fortified targets.

The B-2 was designed to take on the hardest-to-reach and most protected targets, a capability highlighted in this mission. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the U.S. executed "precision strikes" on five underground weapons storage facilities used by the Houthis to support attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These sites housed missiles, weapons components, and munitions.

Austin emphasized that the use of the B-2 in this strike demonstrates America's global reach and ability to hit targets "no matter how deeply buried, hardened, or fortified." This operation marks the first known deployment of the B-2 in the ongoing campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis, with previous missions relying heavily on U.S. Navy warships and fighter jets.

The Air Force has just 19 operational B-2s, which are stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Each aircraft costs around $2 billion and is known for its ability to conduct both conventional and nuclear strikes over vast distances without refueling. The bomber's stealth technology allows it to penetrate advanced defenses, reaching high-value targets.

Before the recent introduction of the B-21 Raider, the B-2 was the only stealth bomber in service, a key component of the U.S. nuclear triad. Its ability to carry and deliver powerful munitions, including the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), makes it a formidable asset. The MOP is designed to destroy heavily fortified underground bunkers, with a 30,000-pound payload capable of reaching depths of up to 200 feet.

The B-2 has been used in conflicts worldwide for nearly 30 years, with its last known strike before this one being in 2017 against ISIS targets. Its low observability and heavy payload allow it to deliver devastating strikes while maintaining an element of surprise, sending a clear message to U.S. adversaries.