B-2 Spirit (bomber)

B-2 Spirit bombers are extremely stealthy heavy bombers, which have intercontinental range with air refueling. They are certified to carry nuclear weapons, and also large numbers of conventional bombs, usually precision-guided munitions.

The B-2 is the second generation of operational stealth aircraft. Its surfaces are much more curved than those of the F-117 Nighthawk, as at the time the F-117 was designed, not enough computer power was available to model the complex interactions of radar with curved surfaces.

The United States operates one wing of B-2 aircraft from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, which is subordinate to the Eighth Air Force. They are occasionally forward-deployed to Guam or Diego Garcia.

General characteristics

• Primary function: Multi-role heavy bomber
• Contractor: Northrop Grumman and Contractor Team: Boeing Military Airplanes Co., Hughes Radar Systems Group, General Electric Aircraft Engine Group and Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
• Power Plant: Four General Electric F118-GE-100 engines
• Thrust: 17,300 pounds each engine
• Wingspan: 172 feet (52.12 meters)
• Length: 69 feet (20.9 meters)
• Height: 17 feet (5.1 meters
• Weight: 160,000 pounds (72,575 kilograms)
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 336,500 pounds (152,634 kilograms)
• Fuel Capacity: 167,000 pounds (75750 kilograms)
• Payload: 40,000 pounds (18,144 kilograms)
• Speed: High subsonic
• Range: Intercontinental
• Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
• Armament: Conventional or nuclear weapons
• Crew: Two pilots
• Unit cost: Approximately $1.157 billion (fiscal 98 constant dollars)
• Initial operating capability: April 1997
• Inventory: Active force: 20 (1 test); ANG: 0; Reserve: 0