​The Aircraft Behind the U.S. Strikes on Iran

The U.S. military is using a wide range of crewed aircraft, drones, ships, and missile systems in its air campaign against Iran, amounting to the largest regional concentration of American firepower “in a generation,” according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

In an overview released Sunday, military officials said over 1,000 targets have been struck inside Iran since Operation Epic Fury began Saturday morning. Among the aircraft taking part in the operation are B-2 stealth bombers, F-16s, F-18s, F-22s, A-10 Warthogs, F-35s, and EA-18G electronic attack airplanes.

Uncrewed assets include the MQ-9 Reaper and LUCAS one-way attack drones.

The LUCAS is a relatively new weapon, having entered service only last year. The drone is produced by contractor SpektreWorks for the U.S. military at a reported cost of $35,000 per unit. It is modeled on Iran’s Shahed drone.

According to some news sources, the LUCAS was deployed in combat for the first time Saturday, though there were reports of the U.S. using similar kamikaze-style drones during the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in January.

Also flying in support of Operation Epic Fury are Boeing RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, refueling tankers, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, Lockheed C-130 military transport airplanes, P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and early warning and control aircraft.

The U.S. and Israel opened their joint offensive against Iran with strikes on military command and intelligence centers, missile systems, naval assets, and the residences and offices of leading regime figures. CENTCOM said Sunday that B-2s were used to hit fortified ballistic missile facilities inside the country.

Ali Khamenei, who served as Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, was declared dead Saturday after his compound in Tehran was targeted. A large number of high-ranking military and intelligence officers also have been killed.

Besides crewed aircraft and drones, CENTCOM said it is also using MIM-104 Patriot interceptors, THAAD anti-ballistic missile systems, M142 HIMARS, guided-missile destroyers, and aircraft carriers. The carriers Gerald R. Ford and Abraham Lincoln are known to be in the region.

In its overview, the command also mentioned “special capabilities we can’t list here!”

The military has not reported any aircraft losses from Iranian fire during Operation Epic Fury, though three U.S. F-15Es were mistakenly shot down by Kuwait on Sunday. All six crewmembers ejected safely.

President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. is prepared to escalate the conflict, with a “big wave” of attacks yet to come. Meanwhile, Israel struck several sites belonging to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence.