{"time":1750628085349,"blocks":[{"id":"mc81gh5d","type":"video","data":{"url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/06360792-3340-4acb-b476-a4b14d7efe33/mp4","caption":"Warrior talks to US Air Force Maj. Gen. Colin Connor, Director of ICBM Modernization about Sentinel Progress","autoplay":false,"controls":true,"muted":false,"stretched":true,"width":0,"height":0,"image":{"url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/06360792-3340-4acb-b476-a4b14d7efe33/thumbnail"},"cdn":{"videoId":"06360792-3340-4acb-b476-a4b14d7efe33","libraryId":"372172","collectionId":"30032062-eefd-4041-a355-12ad05bc987b","cdnBaseUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net","mp4Url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/06360792-3340-4acb-b476-a4b14d7efe33/mp4","thumbnailUrl":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/06360792-3340-4acb-b476-a4b14d7efe33/thumbnail","previewAnimationUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net/06360792-3340-4acb-b476-a4b14d7efe33/preview.webp"}}},{"id":"29SROSApNy","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"by Kris Osborn, President Warrior"}},{"id":"dTdRp4Nphn","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"(Washington DC) Eluding Iranian radar and air defenses with a stealthy bat-like wing-body configuration, radar absorbent materials, EW, altitude, thermal signature management and forward operating fire support .... seven B-2s conducted a clandestine surprise attack which, Pentagon leaders said, used massive, precision guided earth-penetrating bombs to destroy or degrade three of Iran's nuclear sites. "}},{"id":"PDf-odYqhD","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"\"The lead B-2 dropped two GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator weapons on the first of several aim points at Fordow. As the President stated last night, the remaining bombers then hit their targets as well, with a total of 14 MOPs dropped against two nuclear target areas,\" Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, told reporters June 22. "}},{"id":"SSRXOZznPF","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"On the surface, the effectiveness of the B-2s may not seem particularly surprising, given that Iranian air defenses and radar had likely been all but decimated by Israeli F-35s and ground-fired missiles for more than a week. Caine explained that the B-2s were also supported by forward operating 5th-and-4th-generation fighters conducting what's called \"suppression of enemy air defenses,\" a scenario suggesting that any remaining Iranian air defense threats were quite possibly further destroyed in advance of the B-2 attack. "}},{"id":"l-gI2o5oT9","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"\"Once over land, the B-2s linked up with escort and support aircraft in a complex, tightly timed maneuver requiring exact synchronization across multiple platforms in a narrow piece of airspace, all done with minimal communications,\" Caine said. "}},{"id":"suwwDPhpIV","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"While certainly a successful B-2 combat performance is not surprising, there are several potentially lesser recognized tactical and technological variables likely woven into Operation Midnight Hammer which raise questions about Pentagon modernization and possible operational breakthroughs. One such key indicator is evidenced in Caine's reference to \"exact synchronization\" across platforms with \"minimal communications,\" a comment suggesting that multi-domain cross-network, real-time data sharing and operational coordination across joint platforms was not only achieved but \"hardened\" or protected by security measures and an ability to \"limit\" communication. "}},{"id":"RmETHhFuBk","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Pentagon has had great success operationalizing its Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) effort, an integrated multi-service technical initiative to engineer interfaces, IP protocols and gateways to enable otherwise incompatible transport layer communications technologies to seamlessly share information in real time. After years of development and experimentation, key elements of JADC2 began an \"implementation plan\" several years ago and have since matured in operational effectiveness. Specifically, JADC2 is configured and designed to integrate RF, GPS and other separated multi-service datalinks and wireless nodes to exchange information through a common infrastructure capable of gathering, organizing and ultimately \"translating\" otherwise disparate sources of incoming sensor and communications information. Secure interoperability between domains and military services is the goal of JADC2, and Operation Midnight Hammer may have benefitted from breakthrough technologies in these areas which have been under development for many years. Would not be surprising if the B-2 attack was not the first operational use of some technologies. "}},{"id":"8lupib0whp","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"What Caine's description of the operation suggests is that the strike operation may well have not only leveraged a new-generation of multi-domain, multi-platform combat networking but also showed it could maximize the \"security\" and \"efficiency\" of that communication. This means that B-2s, satellites, ground control stations and forward operation fighter jets such as F-15s and F-35s were able to successfully network time-sensitive combat information throughout the operation, without \"emitting\" a large or easily detectable electromagnetic \"signature.\" For example, perhaps an F-35 was able to identify and destroy remaining elements of Iran's air defenses, the success of the operation would suggest that targeting and threat information was securely transmitted between fighter jets and B-2 bombers. It would not be surprising if drones were used as part of this networking equation as well. This likely reduced the vulnerability of the B-2s and helped ensure they could elude or avoid potential ground threats. Caine indicated that the flight path or angle of approach was also deliberately chosen to reduce risk. "}},{"id":"2sIooQDEGA","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Conducting secure \"communications\" during Midnight Hammer seems to be a significant tactical accomplishment, given that Iran has shown an ability to use radar and RF to track, intercept or shoot down drones in recent years. Clearly Iran's capability to track or intercept drones and aircraft has likely been degraded significantly through recent operations, yet an ability to secure and harden air-to-air and air-to-ground multi-domain, multi-platform networking is quite significant. Greater networking exponentially increases combat effectiveness but can also of course increase vulnerability given that signals transmit and can emit a detectable signature. While built-in redundancy can ensure continued operational effectiveness in the event of attack, multiple combat nodes can rely on similar information in some instances. This makes it all the more critical that the information be \"secured,\" \"hardened\" or protected. "}},{"id":"NFJBcy78GP","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"However, networks can be hardened in several key respects through EW, IP protocols, frequency hopping and even AI-enabled information gathering and analysis. When algorithms can identify and analyze the most most exact relevant information, combat effectiveness and efficiency can be achieved through much \"less\" actual transmission. Data can be collected, analyzed and process further out to the tactical edge at the point of collection to streamline connectivity and ensure only the most relevant and needed information is transmitted. When it comes to the transport layers themselves, RF signatures and datalinks can be hardened through the use of several techniques, one of which is called frequency hopping. In this instance, sensors are able to deconflict the electromagnetic spectrum and essentially change or \"hop\" from one frequency to another to avoid being \"jammed\" or detected. For example, in recent years the Air Force has made great progress enabling 5th generation F-22 and F-35 jets to network information while preserving \"stealth\" mode using advanced RF hardening and security technology. Also, it would not be surprising if the US strike package of B-2s were able to use \"passive\" EW, a technology which essentially \"listens\" for enemy electronic signatures without itself emitting a detectable signature. The moment a signature is emitted, it can be at risk of giving away a position to an enemy, yet passive EW can \"detect\" the presence of enemy EW and RF activity without emitting a signature. This means attacking aircraft can \"know\" or \"detect\" where enemy radar and RF signatures are in order to avoid being detected or \"seen\" by them. "}},{"id":"KubrjgnItM","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Iranian Air Defenses? "}},{"id":"WKeiNC0gZJ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It would appears as though Iranian weapons and ground commanders were unable to \"detect\" or at least unable to \"target & shoot\" US warplanes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was clear that the Pentagon is \"unaware\" of any Iranian shots fired at US aircraft and the B-2 strike package on the way \"in\" or \"out.\" "}},{"id":"xmBQPPLo6v","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Regardless of the various factors which created this combat circumstance, this is an extremely significant achievement given that Iran is known to operate some Russian-built S-300s and possibly S-400 surface to air missiles. Modern variants of these weapons, to include the more advanced S-500, are increasingly enabled by digital networking, target \"sharing\" technology, longer ranges and an ability to detect aircraft at greater ranges on a larger number of frequencies. In recent years, Russian state-aligned media reports have stated that advanced Russian air defenses can even detect and destroy \"stealth\" aircraft, something which has not been confirmed. Also, Iran may or may not be able to operate \"upgraded\" variants of these weapons systems, and the successful Pentagon and Israeli operations in recent days would seem to suggest that Israeli and US F-35s have proven quite capable of \"finding\" and \"destroying\" Iranian air defenses and establishing air supremacy. "}},{"id":"Qnzyajgv4Q","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In a general sense, Gen. Caine's comments indicated that weapons were indeed uses to ensure \"safe passage\" as the strike package approached the targets. "}},{"id":"Jwv9tRX7Nl","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"\"As the strike package approached Fordow and Natanz, the U.S. protection package employed high speed suppression weapons to ensure safe passage of the strike package with fighter assets employing preemptive suppressing fires against any potential Iranian surface to air threats,\" Caine said. "}},{"id":"E5oJHkHRyl","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It seems clear Caine was referring to \"kinetic\" attacks from fighter jets able to deliver suppressive \"fires\" on Iranian air defenses, but Caine's comments do leave some room for interpretation and it is entirely feasible that the strike package was also able to \"employ\" non-kinetic suppression weapons as well such as EW. "}},{"id":"-CWONvenKY","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"B-2 30-years"}},{"id":"Luz85DfBUm","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The B-2s performance in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Libya certainly confirm its continued combat effectiveness, yet few are likely aware of the massive extent to which the B-2 Spirit has been upgraded throughout its three decade-long service life. Since its first flight in 1989, the B-2 has become an almost entirely different aircraft through a long-standing series of upgrades over the years. These upgrades, among other things, likely contributed to the success of the mission and the continued relevance of the B-2. Advances in Russian and Chinese air defenses have required the Air Force to ensure its B-2 would remain hard to target given that cutting edge air defenses can potentially identify some \"stealth\" aircraft. This does not mean they can be targeted successfully, yet the Air Force has been clear that the threat equation has greatly intensified in recent years. "}},{"id":"Hy2F20T611","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Accordingly, Air Force and Northrop Grumman data has stated that the B-2 has received a series of new technologies, to include a 1000-fold faster computer processor, cockpit and weapons alterations and a number of stealth enhancements"}},{"id":"NWV9UH9Izm","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Today's B-2 likely has vastly improved stealth properties in areas such as “thermal management,” acoustical signature and radar absorbent coating materials. Certainly many details related to stealth enhancements are not likely to be available for security reasons, yet there are undoubtedly new technologies able to decrease the aircraft’s “heat signature,” making it less detectable to radar and infrared sensors. Should an internally buried engine emits a much smaller “heat signature,” the aircraft will fly at temperatures closer to the surrounding atmosphere, therefore making it less detectable. Newer composite materials may have been added, exhaust emissions have likely been adjusted and weapons developers are almost certain to have devised new ways to suppress the aircraft’s electronic signature while still enabling communication."}},{"id":"WghIV5ZRm1","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Improved stealth is critical to the continued relevance of the B-2, as it is designed to evade both lower-frequency “surveillance radar” able to discern something is “there” and higher frequency “engagement” radar able to “lock-on” and destroy a target. Enhancements to the platform have likely massively increased the B-2s ability to avoid both kinds of radar detection and hold high value enemy targets at risk against a modern, technological advance network of air defense systems."}},{"id":"W5MvGdLq2Z","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Weapons"}},{"id":"IiLeXIgrJM","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The B-2 is also quite different in terms of weaponry, as it is now configured with new software, fire control enhancements and interfaces to enable greater flexibility and a much more expansive arsenal. The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, for example, has been in development for many years, and it is a weapon the massive B-2 is able to carry and drop. The satellite images of the bomb attacks on Iranian sites reveal somewhat small or \"narrow\" holes of entry. This is quite deliberate as the Air Force has been developing earth-penetrating weapons for many years. They are configured with pointed or sharp front ends to penetrate the earth up to great distances, and armed with what's called a \"delayed\" fuse. This means the bomb itself does not detonate until it reaches its desired depth underground. This naturally maximizes damages to targets deliberately buried beneath the earth. "}},{"id":"cEZraAiOqX","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In yet another instance, the B-2 will be armed with an upgraded B-61 nuclear bomb. Newer B-2 weapons applications enable much greater flexibility for stealth bombers on attack; the B-2 has also tested and air-dropping its upgraded B-61 Mod 12 nuclear bomb. Unlike previous or existing B-61 variants, the new B-61 Mod 12 combines specific attack attributes into a single weapon. This means a more limited yield nuclear attack, proximity or “area” detonation, earth-penetrating strike or large-scale explosive effect can be achieved with a single B-61 variant. The weapon is essentially “tailorable.” "}},{"id":"TAXn4CwWnZ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven - Center for Military Modernization and Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University"}}],"version":"2.31.0-rc.7"}

Did Pentagon Iran Attack Debut New Networking, EW & B-2 Technology?