Monday, March 2, 2026 — As part of the ongoing military operation against Iran — dubbed Operation Epic Fury — the United States has reportedly deployed a range of advanced capabilities, including AI tools, B-2 stealth bombers and suicide drones, according to multiple reports.
What has been used in the strikes?
Here’s a breakdown of the U.S. assets reported to be involved:
B-2 Stealth Bombers
Long-range B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were used to strike hardened underground Iranian missile sites and other strategic infrastructure, dropping large precision-guided bombs. This reflects a high-end strike role typically reserved for strategic targets.
Suicide (One-Way) Drones
For the first time in combat, the U.S. deployed low-cost one-way attack drones, known as LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System), which are modeled after Iran’s own Shahed drones. These expendable drones are designed to fly into targets directly, minimizing risk to pilots while increasing strike volume,
AI Tools in Operations
The U.S. reportedly used AI technology from Anthropic to support combat tasks such as intelligence analysis, targeting and battlefield planning. This use came despite a government directive to phase out that AI company’s tools, highlighting the complex role of AI in modern conflict.
- B-2 Bombers
The U.S. Air Force deployed B-2 Spirit stealth bombers (flying from bases in the U.S., like Whiteman AFB in Missouri) to deliver precision strikes using 2,000-pound guided bombs (likely JDAMs or similar). These targeted deeply buried, hardened underground ballistic missile storage and launch facilities that are difficult for conventional aircraft to reach due to Iran’s mountainous terrain and fortifications. This marks a significant escalation, as B-2s are among the most advanced stealth platforms capable of penetrating defended airspace undetected. - Suicide Drones
For the first time in combat, the U.S. employed low-cost, one-way attack suicide drones (also known as kamikaze or loitering munitions). These are modeled after or reverse-engineered from Iranian designs like the Shahed-136. The specific system mentioned is the LUCAS (Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System), produced by SpektreWorks in Arizona. Photos released by the Pentagon show these drones in use, launched to overwhelm defenses, strike high-value targets with precision, and saturate Iranian air defenses cost-effectively. They complement cruise missiles like Tomahawks and manned aircraft in the barrage. - AI Integration
The Pentagon reportedly used artificial intelligence services from Anthropic (the company behind the Claude AI model) during the operation. Details are limited (citing sources familiar with the matter), but this likely involves AI for tasks such as target identification, real-time intelligence analysis, mission planning, drone swarm coordination, damage assessment, or electronic warfare support. This represents one of the first high-profile combat uses of commercial AI tools in a major U.S. kinetic operation, highlighting the growing role of AI in modern warfare.
Why this matters
The combination of stealth bombers, low-cost unmanned systems and AI represents a shift toward using both high-tech and affordable strike options in modern warfare. B-2 bombers allow deep penetration into defended airspace, while suicide drones increase strike capacity without risking pilots. AI tools, meanwhile, help process information and assist in targeting decisions under fast-changing battlefield conditions.
The use of these technologies reflects how the U.S. is adapting its military strategy to both escalate precision attacks and maintain operational tempo amid a complex conflict scenario.
Operation Epic Fury continues as U.S., Israeli and Iranian forces exchange strikes, and further developments are expected in the coming hours.