In a high-stakes mission targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, the United States unveiled a set of previously classified or little-known weapons capabilities. Operation Midnight Hammer, executed in the early hours of June 24, marked a dramatic shift in the scope, coordination, and stealth of American air power.
Flying from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, B-2 Spirit stealth bombers executed precision strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Eshafan. But what made this operation especially notable wasn’t just the use of bunker-busting bombs or Tomahawk missiles—it was the deployment of five highly specialized systems that had, until now, been kept out of the public eye.
What was the objective of the Iran strike?
The mission’s goal was clear: disable key infrastructure across Iran’s nuclear program while maintaining complete air superiority and avoiding escalation. The US wanted to send a signal—to Iran and to the world—about the extent of its readiness and technological edge.
To do so, it used not just brute force, but precision, deception, and electronic warfare. The strike was a joint effort involving the US Strategic Command, Cyber Command, Space Command, European Command, and CENTCOM, with coordination across dozens of aircraft and military platforms.
Which ‘secret’ weapons were used during the mission?
1. AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM)
The AARGM played a critical role in suppressing enemy air defenses (SEAD). Fired from F/A-18 Super Hornets and other aircraft, these missiles were designed to home in on Iranian radar systems, ensuring B-2 bombers remained undetected.
- Speed: Over Mach 2
- Platform compatibility: F-16, F/A-18, F-35A, EA-18G Growler
- Purpose: Destroy ground-based radar and mobile SAM systems
Although the Pentagon confirmed the use of SEAD tactics and deception, the presence of the AARGM in this specific strike had never been officially acknowledged before.
2. ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD)
The ADM-160 isn’t designed to destroy—it’s meant to deceive. These drone-like decoys imitate the radar signature of US fighter jets, confusing enemy Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS).
The MALD played a key role in preserving the element of surprise. According to General Dan Caine, “Iran’s fighters did not fly, and it appears that Iran’s surface-to-air missile systems did not see us.”
- Ceiling: 30,000 feet
- Deployment platforms: F-16, B-52
- Variants: MALD-J includes jamming capabilities
This was reportedly the first mission where both the decoy and jamming versions were used simultaneously to full effect.
3. AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)
Although not deployed during the strike, the JASSM was carried by F-35s as a contingency measure. This stealthy cruise missile is designed to destroy high-value targets from distances over 500 nautical miles.
- Warhead: 1,000-pound blast fragmentation
- Operators: US, Australia, Poland, South Korea, Finland
- Production: Over 3,500 delivered to date
Its inclusion highlights the mission’s depth of planning. If initial attacks had failed, the JASSM would’ve offered long-range strike capabilities with minimal exposure.
4. AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW)
Another backup weapon that remained on standby, the JSOW was prepared to neutralize Iranian airbases in case of a fighter scramble. Built by Raytheon, it’s a glide bomb designed to be launched from well outside enemy air defenses.
- Type: Medium-range glide weapon
- Designed for: Multi-service use (Air Force and Navy)
- Targets: Airfields, command centers, hardened sites
Though never fired during the operation, its presence shows the mission’s layered design—there was a contingency for every possible Iranian reaction.
5. EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft
A less visible but equally crucial component, the EA-18G Growler provided electronic warfare cover. These jets jammed Iranian radars, communications, and command centers, effectively blinding the defense network.
- Role: Electronic jamming, radar suppression
- Weapons: AIM-120, AGM-88 HARM
- Deployed from: Aircraft carriers
The Growler’s mission was to sanitize the B-2s’ flight path, ensuring they faced no resistance during their 7,000-mile round trip.
How was Operation Midnight Hammer executed?
The operation kicked off when seven B-2 bombers took off from Missouri, each with two crew members onboard. They met up with refueling aircraft mid-air before heading east toward Iran.
In the hours before the bomber group entered Iranian airspace, a US Navy submarine launched over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles to take out surface infrastructure targets and communications hubs.
At exactly 6:40 PM EST (2:10 AM local time in Iran), the lead B-2 dropped the first of 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) at the Fordow facility. Within 25 minutes, all three nuclear sites had been hit with minimal collateral damage and no aerial engagement.
Why did the US use these weapons now?
Tactical necessity
Each of these systems was chosen for a specific reason:
- AGM-88E: Clear a safe path through radar-infested zones
- MALD: Overwhelm enemy air defenses with false signals
- JASSM and JSOW: Maintain deep-strike capability in reserve
- Growler: Ensure electronic dominance
Strategic messaging
More than just a tactical success, Operation Midnight Hammer was a message to adversaries. By deploying weapons previously under wraps, the US demonstrated its capability to execute global, stealthy, and precise operations with zero casualties.
It was also a signal to allies in Europe and the Middle East: America’s military reach is not theoretical—it is operational, coordinated, and evolving.
Could this escalate further?
While the operation was limited in scope, targeting only nuclear infrastructure, the deployment of such advanced capabilities may provoke a response. Iran has not yet publicly detailed its losses, and its next steps remain uncertain.
Analysts warn that while tactical superiority was clearly on display, the risk of retaliation or asymmetric warfare remains. The decision to unveil these five systems could change the rules of engagement for future conflicts involving great powers.
The US strike on Iran’s nuclear sites used five advanced systems never before acknowledged in combat:
- AGM-88E: Suppressed Iranian radar.
- ADM-160 MALD: Fooled enemy air defense.
- AGM-158 JASSM & AGM-154 JSOW: Carried as backup for high-value targets.
- EA-18G Growler: Provided electronic warfare cover.
The coordinated, high-tech mission—Operation Midnight Hammer—demonstrated American military superiority, but also raised questions about escalation in the region.
