The recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure highlighted the unmatched capabilities—and steep costs—of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, a cutting-edge aircraft that stands as one of the most advanced and expensive in the world. Each B-2 is estimated to cost between $2.1 and $2.2 billion, a reflection of decades of research, breakthrough stealth engineering, and a highly limited production run—only 21 were ever built. This makes it the most expensive military aircraft ever developed, underscoring the enormous financial investment behind maintaining American military dominance.

In what the Pentagon described as the largest B-2 deployment in U.S. history, seven of these bombers launched from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Saturday, striking Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Named “Operation Midnight Hammer,” the mission involved round-trip flights of up to 37 hours, requiring multiple in-flight refuelings and coordination with fighter escorts and support aircraft in the Middle East.

The B-2s unleashed a powerful payload, including 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—30,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs costing around $20 million each—intended to penetrate fortified underground structures like those at Fordow. What gives the B-2 its unique advantage is its stealth. Its flying-wing design, radar-absorbing materials, and reduced heat signature shrink its radar visibility to the size of a small bird, allowing it to breach highly defended airspace virtually undetected.

With the ability to carry up to 40,000 pounds of weapons—both conventional and nuclear—the B-2 is flown by only two pilots, thanks to advanced onboard automation. It has an unrefueled range of over 6,000 nautical miles, and with midair refueling, it can strike any point on the planet from U.S. soil. The Iran operation demonstrated this global reach, as the bombers flew nonstop to their targets and returned home without incident, despite the high-risk nature of the mission and global media attention. U.S. officials praised the outcome, with President Donald Trump announcing that Iran’s uranium enrichment facility at Fordow had been “completely and totally obliterated.” He further warned Iran of continued consequences if diplomatic efforts were not pursued.

The mission showcased the Air Force’s technological superiority and operational precision, while also emphasizing the immense financial burden of sustaining such capabilities. As retired Indian Air Force officer Ajay Ahlawat noted, global power projection of this scale “costs a lot of money”—a point clearly reflected in the sky-high price of the B-2 and its elite munitions. The B-2 Spirit remains central to America’s strategic deterrent, offering a powerful combination of stealth, range, payload, and survivability that few nations can afford to replicate. Its role in the Iran strikes underscores both its military effectiveness and the staggering cost of global supremacy.