A First For B-2
For the first time, the United States has used its sophisticated B-2 stealth aircraft against the Houthis. The B-2 bombers have conducted precision strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has said.
U.S. forces hit several Houthi underground facilities housing various weapons used to target civilian and military vessels throughout the region.
The Houthis claim to have downed several American Reaper drones in the past year.
And the B-2 bombing comes at a time U.S. troops have begun arriving in Israel for the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system. It is supposed to bolster Israeli air defences against Iran’s aerial assault.
Message To Adversaries
Austin said the use of B-2 bombers should serve as a warning to adversaries. “This was a unique demonstration of the United States’ ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened or fortified.”
Moreover, the employment of B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers demonstrate U.S. global strike capabilities to take action against these targets when necessary, anytime, anywhere, he added.
What Is B-2 Bomber?
Designed by the American aerospace and defence company Northrop Grumman, the B-2 is considered a top-notch stealth bomber.
The design of the aircraft is the closest to a flying bird. It is 69 feet long, 17 feet high and has a wingspan of 172 feet, half the length of a football field.
The B-2 can travel 6,000 nautical miles without refuelling and 10,000 nautical miles with only one refuelling.
High-Flying
But it can reach a high subsonic speed and can get to altitudes of over 50,000 feet. In addition, it can carry both conventional and nuclear munitions and payloads of 20 tonnes.
Four engines made by General Electric power the aircraft. It can accommodate two pilots. The bomber packs massive firepower and can penetrate the most sophisticated enemy defences.
The Whiteman Air Base in Missouri houses these aircraft. They were first deployed during the Kosovo war in 1999 and subsequently in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. It holds the record for longest air combat mission in history, a 44-hour mission in Afghanistan.
