“Those beautiful B-2 bombers, they totally obliterated the nuclear potential nuclear supply of Iran,” Trump said. He added that their battlefield performance led to the decision to expand procurement, stating, “We just ordered a lot more of them, and the reason we did is they were totally incredible, totally invisible.”
The B-2 Spirit is a long-range, low-observable strategic bomber designed to penetrate advanced air defences and deliver both conventional and nuclear munitions. Its flying-wing shape, composite materials and reduced infrared, acoustic, visual and radar signatures give it the ability to cross heavily defended airspace and strike high-value targets.
Developed by Northrop Grumman and introduced in the late 1990s, the aircraft was created as part of the United States bomber modernisation programme. The B-2 can deliver up to 18,000 kilograms of ordnance, including precision-guided bombs, nuclear gravity weapons and specialised munitions for destroying hardened underground facilities.
Air Force data notes that the B-2’s unrefuelled range is about 6,000 nautical miles, with aerial refuelling extending its reach to global targets. The aircraft operates with a crew of two pilots and maintains a high-subsonic speed and service ceiling of up to 50,000 feet.
Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri is the sole operational home of the B-2, which first flew in 1989 and achieved initial operating capability in 1997. The Air Force cites the bomber’s record in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq as proof of its strategic value, with missions often launched from the United States without reliance on forward bases.
Its stealth features were reportedly key to the recent strikes on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites at Natanz and Fordow, where defence officials say B-2 aircraft bypassed Iranian air defences and returned undetected. The effectiveness of those operations has renewed Pentagon interest in extending the B-2’s service life beyond earlier plans.
The bomber’s contractor team includes Boeing Military Airplanes, Hughes Radar Systems, General Electric Aircraft Engine Group and Vought Aircraft Industries. According to the Air Force, the aircraft’s unit cost in 1998 constant dollars was approximately 1.157 billion, reflecting the scale of its engineering and specialised materials.
Trump’s comments come as defence planners continue to assess the role of stealth platforms in future operations. The renewed focus on the B-2’s capabilities follows a broader debate on long-range strike requirements and the balance between legacy systems and next-generation aircraft.
