Tensions between the United States of America and Iran escalated last night with Iran firing over a dozen ballistic missiles at two US Military bases in Iraq.
This was in retaliation for the assassination of its top military general, Soleimani by the Trump administration.
Since the attack on Iran, there have been speculations about a possible ‘war’ between both countries. President Trump has consistently emphasized the strength of the United States’ military arsenal and its readiness to use it against Iran.
With nearly 3 million service members, 4,800 defense sites on seven continents, and an annual budget of more than $700 billion, the US military is considered the world’s premier fighting force.
Below are some of the sophisticated weapons in its arsenal:
B-52 Bombers
There are approximately 75 B-52s in the US Air Force’s active and reserve fleets. These jets, which first came into service in 1952, have been upgraded over the years to carry air-launched cruise missiles.
B-2 Stealth Bombers
The bat-winged heavy bombers can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. In a conventional conflict, the B-2 can carry GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, the largest non-nuclear bombs in the US arsenal.
B-1 Bombers
The four-engine bombers, of which the US has more than 60 in its fleet, can carry the largest payload of any aircraft in the US Air Force, including cruise missiles, gravity bombs, and naval mines.
F-22 Stealth Fighters
The US Air Force has about 180 F-22s, which are considered the force’s most capable fighter aircraft. In addition to its ability to take on the best of any fighter aircraft foes have to offer, the stealthy F-22 can carry a variety of weaponry.
Guided-Missile And Attack Submarines
The US Navy has dozens of submarines that can stay submerged and potentially launch hundreds of Tomahawk cruise missiles at land and sea targets.
Destroyers And Cruisers
The US Navy’s fleet of guided-missile cruisers and destroyers can operate in conjunction with the aircraft carriers in carrier-strike groups, or independently. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyers number more than 70 in active service and form the backbone of the Navy’s fleet.