● Strategic bomber arrives from UK as CENTCOM widens campaign against missile, drone and naval targets
The US military has begun using B-1 Lancer supersonic strategic bombers in its ongoing campaign against Iran, marking a significant escalation in the air operations, Axios reported on Thursday.
According to the report, at least one B-1 bomber participated in strikes this week after departing from the United Kingdom. Open-source flight tracking sites monitored the aircraft’s movement.
US Central Command, CENTCOM, did not mention the bomber in its public statement following the operation. It also remains unclear what specific target the B-1 struck, or whether it was deployed for its heavy conventional payload capacity.
—12th consecutive night of strikes—
The latest wave comes as US forces enter the 12th straight night of strikes in Iran. CENTCOM said targets included:
– Missile and drone depots
– Naval assets
– Coastal surveillance sites
– Air defense systems
– Border facilities
The B-1 Lancer is designed to carry one of the largest conventional weapons loads in the US bomber fleet. Its use signals a shift toward heavier strike options as the campaign widens.
A photo of a US B-1 Lancer strategic bomber was credited to AFP/Henry Nicholls.
[YNET GLOBAL – ynetnews.com]
