U.S. B-1B Bombers Strike Iranian Ballistic Missile Sites in Long-Range Operation Epic Fury.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers carried out long-range strikes inside Iran on March 2 as part of Operation Epic Fury, targeting ballistic missile facilities and command nodes tied to Tehran’s missile forces. The operation represents one of the most extensive recent U.S. conventional air campaigns against Iranian strategic infrastructure and signals a sharp escalation in efforts to degrade Iran’s missile capabilities.

U.S. Central Command confirmed on March 3 that U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers conducted long-range strikes deep inside Iranian territory the previous night as part of Operation Epic Fury, targeting ballistic missile facilities and command-and-control nodes linked to Iran’s missile forces. The strikes were supported by declassified operational footage showing bomber preparations and in-flight activity. The operation follows a sequence of earlier actions involving stealth bombers and forms part of a broader effort to disrupt Iran’s missile infrastructure. Officials described the attacks as one of the most extensive U.S. conventional air campaigns against Iranian strategic targets in recent years.
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A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer performs a bomber air demonstration over the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility on October 27, 2025. (Picture source: US DoD)

According to CENTCOM, three B-1B Lancer aircraft executed ultra-long-range strike sorties aimed at degrading Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities. Open-source flight tracking data suggests the aircraft likely departed from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, although the U.S. military has not publicly confirmed the launch location. The mission required several aerial refuelings across the Atlantic and Mediterranean, a logistical pattern typical of intercontinental bomber deployments intended to maintain operational unpredictability while extending global strike reach.

Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated at the Pentagon that the cumulative effect of the B-1 strikes and previous bomber operations has altered the aerial balance over parts of Iran. Earlier missions conducted by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers targeted hardened underground installations believed to support missile development and storage. According to Caine, the combined operations have produced localized air superiority in specific sectors of the battlespace, enabling follow-on strikes while improving force protection for U.S. assets operating in the region.

The B-1B Lancer is one of the central pillars of the United States’ long-range conventional strike capability. Designed as a multi-role heavy bomber, the aircraft combines speed, endurance, and large payload capacity in a platform optimized for global power projection. Powered by four General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engines equipped with afterburners, each producing more than 30,000 pounds of thrust, the aircraft can exceed 900 miles per hour and reach speeds approaching Mach 1.2. Its intercontinental range and ability to operate with repeated aerial refueling allow it to strike targets anywhere in the world while launching from bases located thousands of kilometers away.

The aircraft’s design reflects the requirements of high-speed penetration and flexible mission profiles. The B-1B employs a blended wing-body configuration combined with variable-geometry wings that adjust their sweep depending on the flight regime. Wings extended forward are typically used during takeoff, landing and aerial refueling, while the aft-swept configuration forms the main combat setting, allowing efficient high-subsonic or supersonic flight. This configuration improves aerodynamic performance at both low and high altitude and gives the aircraft strong maneuverability compared with earlier strategic bombers.

Payload capacity remains one of the aircraft’s defining features. The B-1B can carry up to 75,000 pounds of guided and unguided weapons across three internal bays, the largest conventional payload capacity of any bomber currently in the U.S. Air Force inventory. Its armament options include precision-guided munitions such as the GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the GBU-38 JDAM as well as up to 24 AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles. The AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) is a low-observable cruise missile designed for precision strikes against heavily defended targets at ranges exceeding 370 kilometers for the baseline version and more than 900 kilometers for the AGM-158B JASSM-ER extended-range variant.

The aircraft’s onboard systems further reinforce its role in precision strike operations. The B-1B is equipped with a synthetic aperture radar capable of tracking and engaging moving targets while supporting terrain-following navigation during low-level penetration. Its Global Positioning System-aided Inertial Navigation System allows accurate navigation and targeting without relying on ground-based aids. More recent upgrades introduced a Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL) incorporating Link-16 connectivity, enabling crews to receive targeting information from the Combined Air Operations Center or other command networks and engage emerging targets during time-sensitive operations.

Survivability features also form a critical part of the aircraft’s design. The B-1B integrates electronic warfare systems, including the ALQ-161 electronic countermeasures suite, which detects and identifies hostile radar emitters before applying automated or operator-directed jamming techniques. Defensive systems also include radar warning receivers, chaff and flare dispensers, and the ALE-50 towed decoy system designed to draw radar-guided missiles away from the aircraft. Combined with its relatively reduced radar cross-section compared with earlier bombers, these systems allow the aircraft to operate in contested airspace with a degree of protection against modern air-defense systems.

The B-1B’s versatility allows it to function within complex strike packages alongside stealth aircraft, fighters, and intelligence platforms. The aircraft’s long loiter time and high payload capacity enable it to remain on station for extended periods while carrying a wide mix of weapons. During dynamic targeting scenarios, crews can receive real-time updates through networked command systems and rapidly redirect weapons against emerging targets. A single B-1B sortie can therefore deliver large volumes of precision ordnance against multiple objectives during one mission cycle, particularly when supported by aerial refueling and integrated intelligence networks.

Operation Epic Fury also highlights the scale of force the United States is willing to mobilize in a high-intensity regional contingency. The campaign has involved the full spectrum of the U.S. bomber fleet, combining B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, B-1B Lancer long-range strike aircraft, and B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers. Each platform contributes a distinct operational role within the strike architecture: the B-2 penetrates heavily defended environments using its low-observable design, the B-1B delivers large volumes of precision conventional weapons against distributed infrastructure, and the B-52H Stratofortress provides persistent long-range strike capacity with a wide arsenal of cruise missiles and guided bombs. The simultaneous employment of these three bomber classes illustrates a deliberate demonstration of strategic reach and escalation control. By committing its entire bomber triad to the operation, Washington signals both the scale of the campaign and its ability to generate sustained long-range strike pressure across the Middle East without relying solely on forward-based tactical aircraft.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.