Bunker-busting bombs loaded onto US planes at UK airbase amid Iran war

"Three United States B-1B Lancer bombers have touched down at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom after what is believed to be the first American strike mission against Iran launched from a British base, during the US-Israeli war on Iran. Al Jazeera's team witnessed the aircraft returning to the base as ground crews moved new stocks of bunker-busting bombs, fitted with JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) guidance kits, across the runway."

"During the outbreak of the war, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had refused the US permission to use UK bases for attacks on Iran. But on March 1, Starmer changed tack, stating that Westminster had approved a US request to use British bases for the defensive purpose of destroying Iranian missiles at source after a drone struck a British military base on Cyprus."

"The bunker-busting bombs being prepared at RAF Fairford were fitted with JDAM kits, guidance systems that convert unguided bombs such as the 500lb Mk-82, 1,000lb Mk-83 and 2,000lb Mk-84 into precision-guided weapons by adding a GPS and inertial-navigation tail unit with control fins."

US B-1B Lancer bombers have conducted strike missions against Iran from RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom, representing the first American bombing operations launched from a British base during the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Ground crews at the base are loading bunker-busting bombs equipped with JDAM guidance systems onto aircraft. Initially, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused permission for US bases to be used for attacks on Iran, but reversed this position on March 1, approving defensive operations to destroy Iranian missiles. The B-1B Lancer is a long-range strategic bomber capable of carrying large conventional payloads. JDAM kits convert unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons using GPS and inertial-navigation systems.

Read at www.aljazeera.com