Exclusive Report: First Look All U.S. Military Equipment Used in Operation Midnight Hammer Against Iran.

Operation Midnight Hammer was a large-scale U.S. military campaign targeting Iran’s fortified nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Designed to dismantle underground enrichment capabilities and degrade supporting infrastructure, the operation deployed a sophisticated force structure involving stealth bombers, long-range cruise missiles, fifth-generation fighters, electronic warfare aircraft, and aerial refueling tankers. In this exclusive Army Recognition report, we provide a detailed breakdown of every major U.S. military asset used in this operation, with technical and operational insights on their roles and combat performance.
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Infographic detailing all U.S. military assets deployed during Operation Midnight Hammer including B-2 stealth bombers, GBU-57 bunker buster bombs, Tomahawk cruise missiles, F-35 and F/A-18 fighters, EA-18G Growlers, KC-46 and KC-135 tankers, and Ohio-class submarine platforms used in the precision strike against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. (Picture source: X account Ian Ellis)

The core of the offensive strike was delivered by seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, which departed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and flew a 37-hour nonstop mission to Iran and back. The B-2 Spirit is a strategic stealth bomber capable of intercontinental range, designed to penetrate heavily defended airspace using low observable technologies. With a payload capacity of over 18,000 kg, the B-2s executed a deep strike mission to deliver highly specialized ordnance with minimal radar detection. Their involvement marked the largest single B-2 deployment in a combat mission and demonstrated the aircraft’s global reach and survivability in contested environments.

Each B-2 carried and deployed two GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrators, for a total of 14 bombs dropped. Weighing 13,600 kg each, the GBU-57 is the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. inventory, developed specifically to defeat deeply buried and reinforced structures. Guided by GPS and using high-density steel casings, these weapons are capable of penetrating up to 60 meters of earth or 18 meters of reinforced concrete. Twelve were dropped on the Fordow enrichment facility, one of the most fortified sites in Iran, while two targeted the Natanz facility. This operation marked the first confirmed combat use of the GBU-57, demonstrating the U.S. capacity to neutralize underground threats without nuclear weapons.

Supporting the aerial bombardment was a single Ohio-class guided missile submarine, believed to be USS Georgia (SSGN-729), operating covertly in the Arabian Sea. The Ohio-class SSGNs are among the most heavily armed conventional strike platforms in the U.S. Navy, with the ability to carry up to 154 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles via 22 vertical launch tubes. Converted from nuclear ballistic missile submarines, these platforms retain stealthy profiles, extended underwater endurance, and global mobility. During Operation Midnight Hammer, the Ohio-class submarine was responsible for launching a strategic volley of Tomahawks to disable Iranian infrastructure and air defense nodes, providing a critical second axis of attack synchronized with the B-2 bomber assault.

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) played a pivotal role in Operation Midnight Hammer, with 30 missiles launched from the Ohio-class submarine against high-value infrastructure targets in Natanz and Isfahan. These subsonic, long-range cruise missiles are equipped with GPS and terrain contour matching guidance systems, allowing precise strikes from over 1,500 kilometers away. Each Tomahawk carries a 450 kg conventional high-explosive warhead and can be reprogrammed in-flight for dynamic targeting. Their low flight profile and high accuracy make them ideal for engaging air defense systems, communications hubs, and strategic facilities with minimal collateral damage. The submarine-launched Tomahawks ensured strategic depth and supported the primary air assault by degrading Iranian response capabilities before and during the air raids.

The U.S. Air Force deployed 15 F-35A Lightning II fighters to provide air dominance, intelligence support, and secondary precision strike capability. As a fifth-generation stealth multirole aircraft, the F-35 features sensor fusion, low observable profile, and internal weapons carriage. It is equipped with advanced AESA radar, electro-optical targeting systems, and a comprehensive electronic warfare suite. During the operation, the F-35s likely operated in strike coordination and reconnaissance (SCAR) roles, identifying and confirming targets, neutralizing air defenses, and coordinating with B-2s in contested airspace.

Alongside the F-35s, 15 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets were deployed to support multirole strike and escort duties. The Super Hornet is a carrier-capable fighter-bomber known for its range, payload, and adaptability. Capable of deploying JDAMs, laser-guided bombs, and air-to-air missiles, the F/A-18s provided layered defense for the stealth aircraft and were likely used to engage air defense nodes and mobile threats. Their participation ensured flexible strike options and mission redundancy in case of dynamic target adjustments.

Providing electronic warfare and radar suppression was the EA-18G Growler, the electronic attack variant of the F/A-18F. Equipped with ALQ-99 jamming pods, AN/ALQ-218 receivers, and high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMs), the Growler is designed to disrupt enemy radar, communications, and air defense systems. During the operation, the Growlers operated at the edge of Iranian radar coverage, jamming enemy systems to allow stealth bombers and Tomahawks to penetrate without detection. Their electromagnetic suppression was critical to disabling integrated air defense systems, ensuring the survivability of both strike and escort aircraft.

Aerial refueling was sustained by a combination of KC-46 Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. The KC-46, Boeing’s newest refueling platform, is capable of offloading 212,000 pounds of fuel and refueling both boom and probe-equipped aircraft. It also features Link 16 and secure communications, allowing real-time situational awareness and threat sharing among the strike force. Its onboard defensive systems enabled it to operate closer to contested airspace, increasing mission flexibility.

The KC-135 Stratotanker, though older in design, continues to be the backbone of the U.S. Air Force's refueling fleet. It offers reliable high-volume fuel transfer and was used to support B-2s, fighters, and ISR assets throughout the 18,000-kilometer roundtrip mission. With a maximum fuel load of 200,000 pounds, the KC-135 ensured that even the longest-range bombers maintained endurance and flexibility without the need for foreign basing.

Operation Midnight Hammer demonstrated the full spectrum of U.S. strike capabilities. From stealth bombers and submarine-launched cruise missiles to fifth-generation fighters and electronic warfare aircraft, each asset was integrated into a synchronized battle network that delivered devastating results with speed and precision. This operation serves as a modern case study in multi-domain warfare and the operational reach of American air and sea power.