Fact Check: The US Air Force B-2 bombers have a range of about 6,000 miles without refueling and are capable of carrying the GBU 57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which is the only bomb large enough to potentially destroy Iran's Fordow nuclear site.

Fact Check: "The US Air Force B-2 bombers have a range of about 6,000 miles without refueling and are capable of carrying the GBU 57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which is the only bomb large enough to potentially destroy Iran's Fordow nuclear site."

What We Know

The claim that the US Air Force B-2 bombers have a range of about 6,000 miles without refueling is supported by multiple sources. The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is reported to have a range of approximately 7,000 miles (11,000 kilometers) without refueling, according to the manufacturer, Northrop Grumman (source-1). However, some reports specify a range of 6,000 miles, which may refer to operational constraints or specific mission profiles (source-2).

The GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator is indeed noted as the only bomb capable of potentially destroying Iran's Fordow nuclear site, which is deeply buried and heavily fortified (source-4). The GBU-57 weighs around 30,000 pounds and is designed to penetrate deep underground before detonating, making it suitable for targeting such fortified facilities (source-1).

Analysis

The B-2 bomber's range is a critical aspect of its operational capability. While the claim states a range of 6,000 miles, it is essential to note that the B-2's maximum range is approximately 7,000 miles without refueling, which is confirmed by Northrop Grumman (source-1). This discrepancy may arise from different interpretations of operational limits or specific mission parameters.

Regarding the GBU-57/B, it is widely recognized as the only non-nuclear bomb capable of effectively targeting the Fordow facility due to its design and weight (source-5). The bomb's ability to penetrate deep into the ground before exploding is crucial for overcoming the site's defenses, which include being buried approximately 80-90 meters underground (source-2).

The sources used in this analysis are credible, including reports from reputable news organizations such as the Associated Press and The Guardian, which provide detailed information about military capabilities and specific munitions (source-1, source-2). However, it is important to consider that military capabilities can be subject to change and may not always be fully disclosed.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. The B-2 bombers do have a significant range, although the commonly cited figure of 6,000 miles is slightly lower than the maximum range of 7,000 miles. Additionally, the GBU-57/B is indeed recognized as the only bomb capable of potentially destroying the Fordow nuclear site, confirming the latter part of the claim. However, the slight inaccuracy regarding the bomber's range warrants the "Partially True" verdict.

Fact Check: The US Air Force B-2 bombers have a range of about 6,000 miles without refueling and are capable of carrying the GBU 57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which is the only bomb large enough to potentially destroy Iran's Fordow nuclear site.