US Leverages AI, B-2 Bombers, and Suicide Drones in Iran Strikes

The United States is utilizing inexpensive suicide drones inspired by Iranian technology as part of Operation Epic Fury.

The United States deployed various types of weapons against Iranian targets on Saturday, such as Tomahawk cruise missiles, stealth aircraft, and, for the first time in combat, inexpensive one-way attack drones inspired by Iranian designs. The US Central Command shared images depicting Tomahawk missiles, F-18 and F-35 fighter jets, along with information about the strikes in the context of Operation Epic Fury.

Artificial intelligence

The U.S. Department of Defense utilized artificial intelligence solutions provided by Anthropic, such as its Claude platforms, in the operation against Iran, as reported by an individual with knowledge of the matter.

The action took place a day following the US designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk, suggesting it poses a danger to national security. On Friday, President Donald Trump also instructed the government to cease collaboration with the startup.

Reuters was unable to ascertain how the tools were utilized in the war effort. The Pentagon and Anthropic did not promptly respond to a request for commentary.

Anthropic’s artificial intelligence has been utilized within the intelligence community and military branches, and it was the first of its competitors to handle sensitive information through a partnership with Amazon, a cloud service provider.

Bombers

As the Pentagon increased its aerial attacks on Iran’s military infrastructure, it sent B-2 stealth bombers from the United States to target fortified, subterranean Iranian missile sites using 2,000-pound explosives.

The B-2, a US$2-billion flying wing developed by Northrop Grumman, was crucial in carrying out attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June. Featuring a 52-meter wingspan and a stealth design, the B-2 has a range of 6,000 nautical miles without needing to refuel, although most operations involve several mid-air refueling sessions.

Drones

The U.S. military stated that it deployed suicide drones that look exactly the same, as seen in images released by the Pentagon, as the newly developed LUCAS (Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System) created by Spektreworks, a firm based in Phoenix, Arizona. The company has not provided any response to inquiries for further information.

For the first time, CENTCOM deployed one-way attack drones resembling Iran’s Shahed drones, according to the Pentagon.

Kamikaze drones are low-cost and intended to be manufactured by multiple companies, according to the Pentagon. The LUCAS model costs approximately $35,000. Drones have grown more significant in military operations as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led the US and other nations to adopt a new strategy called “affordable mass” – maintaining a large supply of relatively inexpensive weapons.

The United States also deployed significantly more costly MQ-9 Reaper drones and anti-drone systems.

Tomahawks

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is a long-range cruise missile primarily launched from the sea to conduct deep-strike operations against targets. The precision-guided Tomahawk cruise missile has the capability to hit targets up to 1,600 kilometers away, even within heavily protected airspace. The missile is 6.1 meters in length, has an 8.5-foot wingspan, and weighs approximately 3,330 pounds (1,510 kilograms). The Raytheon division of RTX produces the Tomahawk missile, which is not equipped with nuclear warheads, and can be fired from both land and sea. As per Pentagon budget information, the United States intends to purchase 57 of these missiles in 2026.

They incur an average cost of $1.3 million per unit. There is also a continuous initiative to allocate millions for the modification and enhancement of the weapons, including their guidance systems. A recent deal between Raytheon and the Pentagon seeks to boost the manufacturing of Tomahawk cruise missiles, with the goal of reaching 1,000 units per year eventually.

The US and allied forces have conducted flight tests of the GPS-equipped Tomahawk and deployed it in real-world scenarios, such as when the US and UK navies fired Tomahawk missiles against Houthi rebel locations in Yemen.

Fighter jets

The US Central Command shared images and video clips depicting F/A-18 and F-35 combat aircraft involved in attacks on Iran. The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth jet designed to avoid radar detection and deliver accurate weapons. The United States has widely stationed F-35s throughout the Middle East. The F-18, produced by Boeing, is a versatile fighter that can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, equipped with numerous types of bombs and missiles.

The F-35s are capable of carrying a variety of missiles, including those designed to locate and eliminate radar systems, thereby disabling the enemy. These aircraft are also utilized by the Israeli Air Force.

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