By the Numbers: U.S. Deploys B-2 Bombers as Tensions Escalate with Houthis and Iran

The United States has ramped up its military presence in the Middle East, deploying at least six nuclear-capable B-2 Spirit bombers to Diego Garcia, a remote island base in the Indian Ocean. Satellite images analyzed Wednesday by The Associated Press confirm the buildup, signaling heightened tensions with Iran and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The deployment comes as the U.S. intensifies its airstrike campaign against the Houthis, who have repeatedly targeted Red Sea shipping. Additionally, the B-2’s ability to strike deep underground makes it a key asset in any potential action against Iran’s advancing nuclear program.

Here’s a closer look at the B-2 deployment—and the broader regional tensions—by the numbers:

Key Figures

🔹 One-third – The six B-2 bombers now in Diego Garcia represent nearly a third of the total B-2 fleet in the U.S. arsenal.

🔹 1 – The number of times the U.S. military has publicly acknowledged using the B-2 in Yemen since the Israel-Hamas war began.

🔹 2 – The number of pilots required to operate a single B-2 bomber.

🔹 6 – The number of B-2 bombers seen at Diego Garcia in recent satellite images, with numbers increasing over the past week.

🔹 19 – The total number of B-2 bombers currently in service with the U.S. Air Force.

🔹 21 – The number of B-2s originally built, though two have been lost: one in a 2008 crash and another retired after damage in 2022.

🔹 65 – The reported death toll from the latest U.S. airstrikes in Yemen, according to Houthi sources.

🔹 172 feet (52 meters) – The wingspan of the B-2 Spirit, designed for stealth and long-range missions.

🔹 200 – Estimated U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis since March 15, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

🔹 6,000 nautical miles (11,112 kilometers) – The B-2’s maximum range without refueling, enabling global reach.

🔹 12,300 kilograms (27,125 pounds) – The weight of the GBU-57 “Massive Ordnance Penetrator,” a bunker-busting bomb that could be used against Iran’s underground nuclear facilities.

🔹 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) – The B-2’s maximum altitude, allowing it to evade enemy defenses.

🔹 $1.1 billion – The estimated cost of a single B-2 Spirit bomber, making it one of the most expensive aircraft in history.

The deployment of B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia underscores the growing volatility in the region. As tensions escalate with Iran and the Houthis continue their attacks on Red Sea shipping, the U.S. is positioning some of its most advanced military assets for potential conflict.

With the Israel-Hamas war still ongoing and diplomatic efforts struggling to contain the crisis, the presence of these stealth bombers sends a clear message: The U.S. is prepared to take decisive action if necessary.