Exploring the US weapons stockpile utilized in ‘Operation Epic Fury’ against Iran

Operation Epic Fury Targets Iran

The U.S. military, in a collaborative operation with Israel, launched a significant military campaign against Iranian targets on Saturday. This operation, named “Operation Epic Fury,” kicked off at 1:15 a.m., hitting over 1,000 locations across Iran in the first day alone, as stated by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Among the most notable strikes was one targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, alongside several high-ranking officials.

The assault utilized a diverse range of military aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers, F-22 and F-16 fighter jets, A-10 attack planes, and EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, along with various surveillance and communication platforms, according to CENTCOM.

As part of the operation, missile defense systems like Patriot interceptors and THAAD anti-ballistic missiles were deployed. Additional military resources included RC-135 reconnaissance planes, MQ-9 Reaper drones, HIMARS rocket systems, and several nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and guided missile destroyers. CENTCOM also revealed the use of Tomahawk cruise missiles and F-18 and F-35 jets engaging in combat.

For the first time, CENTCOM confirmed the deployment of a new type of attack drone, referred to as LUCAS, into combat. This low-cost unmanned combat drone system, which was designed after Iran’s Shahed drone, represents a significant shift in strategy. CENTCOM mentioned that these drones are now being used to carry out U.S.-made retaliatory attacks.

The LUCAS drone, which can be launched from various platforms, is developed by Speckleworks, an engineering firm based in Arizona, and each unit is reportedly priced around $35,000.

Targets of the Military Offensive

The operation specifically aimed at multiple military installations within Iran, such as command centers for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), ballistic missile bases, naval vessels, and military communication frameworks, per CENTCOM.

In response, Iran reportedly fired missiles targeting major U.S. military installations in the region, including sites in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE. This intense exchange led to casualties, with CENTCOM announcing that three U.S. service members lost their lives, and five others sustained serious injuries during Operation Epic Fury. The military action is anticipated to extend over the coming days.