As part of the expanding Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. Air Force has deployed B‑1B Lancer strategic bombers over the Middle East to support long‑range strike missions against targets linked to Iran’s military infrastructure.
The B‑1B Lancer, nicknamed the “Bone,” is a supersonic, variable‑sweep wing heavy bomber that plays a central role in the U.S. Air Force’s long‑range conventional strike capability. It can carry up to 75,000 pounds of bombs and precision weapons, more than any other aircraft in the U.S. bomber fleet.
According to a post by US Central Command on X, “B‑1B Lancers—capable of carrying a payload of 75,000 pounds—have operated over the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury.”
These bombers have been involved in deep‑strike missions targeting ballistic missile facilities, ammunition depots, and command‑and‑control networks as part of a sustained air campaign designed to degrade Iran’s ability to launch missiles and support militant operations.
Earlier stages of Epic Fury saw B‑1Bs flying long‑range sorties from bases in the United States, with some missions lasting more than a day and requiring aerial refueling to reach targets deep inside Iranian territory.
To improve operational reach and responsiveness, several B‑1Bs have also been positioned at forward locations such as Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in the United Kingdom, where they can more quickly deploy against strategic targets without the need for exceptionally long transits.
The B‑1B’s flexibility and large payload capacity make it a key component of U.S. heavy bomber efforts. Though originally developed during the Cold War with a nuclear‑armed mission, post‑1992 arms control agreements shifted its role to a conventional strike platform capable of delivering large quantities of guided and unguided munitions in support of combat operations......…