Misbar Identifies the Weapons Used by the U.S. and Israel in the Joint Attack on Iran

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following the U.S.–Israeli attack on Iran on Feb. 28, Misbar’s editorial team at Al-Araby TV analyzed footage and images circulating online to identify the types of American and Israeli weapons used in the operation.

ATACMS Missiles and HIMARS Launch Systems

In a video published by the U.S. Central Command on March 1 documenting part of the military operations against Iran, launch platforms used by the U.S. military appeared targeting Iranian radar installations and ballistic missile launch sites in western and southwestern Iran.

By comparing the platforms shown in the footage, Misbar found they closely match the HIMARS launch system designed to fire ATACMS missiles, both in the structure of the carrier vehicle and the launch pattern accompanied by debris dispersal near the launcher.

One-Way Attack Drones

The same footage also showed an Iranian radar site being struck by a suicide drone. A comparison indicates a strong resemblance to one-way loitering munitions recently introduced into service by the U.S. military.

On March 2, the Telegram account “Iranian Revolutionary Guard News” published a video showing the crash of a U.S. one-way suicide drone identified as the “LUCAS” model in Iraq.

Earlier, on Feb. 28, U.S. Central Command announced in an official statement that the “Scorpion Strike” task force had, for the first time, deployed one-way attack drones in combat during “Operation Epic Rage” against Iran.

These drones are significantly cheaper than traditional missiles, allowing them to be launched in large numbers. As loitering munitions, they do not return after launch; instead, they strike and explode on impact. They can typically fly distances ranging between 50 and 100 kilometers.

They can also be manually guided or pre-programmed to strike buildings, warehouses, and stationary or slow-moving targets, making them effective for precision strikes without requiring manned aircraft.

Tomahawk Missiles

On the same day, U.S. Central Command published another video of military operations against Iran showing clear evidence of Tomahawk cruise missiles being used, confirmed by comparing the launch sequences with known Tomahawk launches.

The Tomahawk is a long-range cruise missile typically launched from naval platforms to strike targets in deep-strike missions. The precision-guided missile can hit targets from distances of up to 1,600 kilometers, even in heavily defended airspace.

The missile measures about 6.1 meters in length with a wingspan of 2.6 meters and weighs approximately 1,510 kilograms. It has been produced since the mid-1980s, with annual production in recent years ranging between 55 and 90 missiles.

Blue Sparrow Missiles

At the start of the U.S.–Israeli attack on Iran, an image circulated showing the remains of a missile near the village of Doraji in the Davuda district of Iran’s Khormato area. Through visual comparison, Misbar identified the missile as Israel’s Blue Sparrow.

Blue Sparrow missiles are designed to simulate the trajectory and characteristics of long-range ballistic missiles. They are typically launched from fighter aircraft such as the F-15, giving them considerable operational flexibility and allowing them to replicate missile attacks from long distances without requiring a fixed ground-launch platform.

Israeli Hermes 900 Drones

On Feb. 28, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency published images of what it said was an Israeli drone shot down by Iranian air defenses over the city of Khomein in Markazi Province. The wreckage displayed a tail serial number 935.

By comparing the debris, Misbar determined it matches the Israeli Hermes 900 drone manufactured by Elbit Systems.

The same drone model was previously photographed with Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during the 12-day war in June 2025.

Super Heron Drone

On March 2, a Telegram account affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps published footage claiming Iranian air defenses had shot down an Israeli drone over the skies of Khorramabad.

A comparison with Israeli drone models indicates it matches the Super Heron UAV.

The Super Heron can carry approximately 450–500 kilograms of payload, including EO/IR cameras, radar systems, and SATCOM communications equipment, making it a highly effective platform for long-range intelligence and surveillance missions over land or maritime areas.

B-2 Strategic Bombers

U.S. Central Command also published footage on X documenting the use of B-2 stealth bombers equipped with 2,000-pound bombs to strike fortified Iranian ballistic missile facilities.

Separately, the account “Thenewarea51” posted an audio recording of four U.S. stealth bombers — flight numbers PETRO41 through PETRO44 — communicating with Seville Control on March 1, 2026 at 08:00 UTC while returning westward from Iran.

Meanwhile, U.S. aviation photographer Jake Woodward posted footage on Instagram around midnight UTC showing the arrival of U.S. stealth bombers at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.

B-1 Lancer Bombers

On March 2, U.S. Central Command also released footage showing the U.S. military using B-1 bombers in airstrikes deep inside Iranian territory aimed at degrading Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities.

The B-1 Lancer is a heavy, multi-role strategic bomber used by the U.S. Air Force. It is capable of supersonic speeds and can fly up to approximately 7,455 kilometers without aerial refueling, with extended range possible through midair refueling. It can carry up to 34,000 kilograms of bombs and missiles.

The aircraft features a variable-sweep wing design, enabling strong performance at different speeds, partial stealth capabilities, and advanced electronic navigation and attack systems.

In terms of armament, the B-1 can carry a wide range of conventional bombs such as the Mk-82 and Mk-84, satellite-guided JDAM bombs, and smart cluster munitions like the CBU-87/89/97, in addition to long-range air-to-ground missiles such as the AGM-158 JASSM designed to strike fortified targets.

Fighter Aircraft

On March 3, U.S. Central Command posted footage on X showing several fighter aircraft participating in operations against Iran that have been ongoing since Feb. 28.

By comparing the aircraft in the footage with the U.S. military fleet, Misbar identified the following aircraft types:

F/A-18E Super Hornet

The F/A-18E Super Hornet is a multi-role naval fighter used extensively for both attack and air-defense missions from aircraft carriers. It can conduct air defense, ground attack, suppression of enemy air defenses, and maritime strike operations.

The aircraft has 11 external hardpoints capable of carrying a wide range of weapons, including AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-88 HARM, and AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER air-to-surface missiles, in addition to JDAM and Paveway guided bombs, unguided MK-80 bombs, and an internal M61A2 20mm cannon.

F-35A Lightning II

The F-35A is a fifth-generation fighter combining stealth technology, advanced sensors, and electronic warfare capabilities.

Designed for multi-role missions including air superiority and ground attack, it can carry AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles internally to maintain stealth, along with GBU-39 small-diameter bombs and JDAM guided bombs. It can also carry AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, AGM-88 AARGM anti-radiation missiles, and AGM-158 JASSM/LRASM missiles on external hardpoints, and includes an internal GAU-22/A 25mm cannon.

MH-60S Seahawk Helicopter

The MH-60S Seahawk is a multi-mission naval helicopter designed for ship support, search-and-rescue operations, and maritime control missions.

It can be equipped with defensive and surface-attack weapons including M60D, M240, or GAU-17/A machine guns, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for armored targets, and Hydra 70 rocket pods.

E-2C Hawkeye

The E-2C Hawkeye serves as an airborne early warning and command-and-control platform. Equipped with the AN/APS-145 radar system, it monitors aerial and maritime targets and coordinates air battles by directing other aircraft to respond to threats.

It does not carry conventional offensive weapons and focuses primarily on surveillance and battlefield coordination.

F-15

The F-15 is a U.S. air-superiority fighter capable of carrying a wide range of missiles and bombs. It features an internal M61A1 20mm cannon and can carry AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

Modern variants such as the F-15E Strike Eagle add strong air-to-ground strike capabilities using AGM missiles and precision-guided bombs, along with advanced radar systems and maneuverability designed to maintain air superiority.

F-16 Fighting Falcon

On March 4, U.S. Central Command posted images on X showing groups of F-15 fighters alongside another type of U.S. aircraft heading toward Iran to strike strategic targets.

By comparing the aircraft with known U.S. fighter models, Misbar identified the additional aircraft as the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The F-16 is one of the world’s most widely used multi-role fighter jets, developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force. It is capable of performing both air-superiority and ground-attack missions.

With speeds reaching roughly twice the speed of sound and a combat range exceeding 550 kilometers without additional fuel tanks, the aircraft is known for its high maneuverability thanks to its aerodynamic design and fly-by-wire control system.

It can carry a wide range of weapons, including AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-to-long-range missiles, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles, satellite-guided GBU-31 JDAM bombs, and laser-guided GBU-12 Paveway II bombs.

The aircraft can also carry AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles designed to suppress enemy air defenses, making it a flexible combat platform capable of executing a wide spectrum of modern air operations.

Conclusion

Analysis of the footage and images associated with the U.S.–Israeli attack on Iran indicates the use of a wide range of military systems. These include long-range missiles such as Tomahawk and ATACMS, HIMARS launch platforms, one-way loitering munitions, and Israeli drones such as the Hermes 900 and Super Heron.

The footage also documents the participation of U.S. strategic bombers including the B-2 and B-1 Lancer, alongside multiple fighter aircraft such as the F-35, F-16, and F-15.

Taken together, the evidence points to the use of a diverse mix of aerial and missile platforms in the military operations that began on Feb. 28, 2026.

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