The U.S. Air Force has disclosed that its B-2 Spirit stealth bomber possesses a previously undisclosed capability to destroy ships, a development that arrives as the Pentagon intensifies its focus on potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region. This enhanced capacity of the bomber, already a cornerstone of American air power, is seen as a significant factor in countering the growing naval strength of China.
The B-2 bomber can now deploy the B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb, a weapon capable of striking heavily defended targets, including naval vessels. This new role for the B-2 comes as the U.S. military assesses the evolving threat landscape, with China's expanding navy presenting one of the most substantial challenges to American military dominance in the region.
The modernization of the B-2's capabilities is part of a broader strategy to maintain deterrence and ensure operational readiness in a complex geopolitical environment. The stealth technology inherent in the B-2 allows it to penetrate sophisticated air defenses, making it a potent platform for delivering a variety of munitions against high-value targets, now including enemy warships.