B-2 Spirit Bomber

The B-2 Spirit is a long-range, stealth heavy bomber developed by Northrop Grumman for the United States Air Force. It’s one of the most advanced and expensive military aircraft ever built, designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses and delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons deep into enemy territory.

 Key Features
1. Stealth Design
Radar Cross Section: The B-2 is virtually invisible to radar due to its low observable (stealth) technology. Its radar cross-section is about the size of a small bird.

Shape: The flying wing design eliminates vertical stabilizers and other features that normally reflect radar waves.

Materials: The aircraft’s surface is covered with radar-absorbent material (RAM), which helps it avoid detection.

Exhaust Suppression: The engine exhaust is shielded and cooled to reduce infrared signature.

2. Flying Wing Configuration
No fuselage or tail; the crew, fuel, and weapons are housed within the wing itself.

This design maximizes aerodynamic efficiency and contributes to its stealth capabilities.

It’s inherently unstable and requires advanced fly-by-wire systems for control.

3. Range and Endurance
Unrefueled Range: ~6,000 nautical miles (~11,100 km)

With Aerial Refueling: Virtually global reach.

The B-2 can loiter in enemy airspace or return from intercontinental missions without landing.

4. Payload
Conventional & Nuclear Capable: Can carry up to 40,000 pounds (18,000 kg) of ordnance.

Armament Options:

B61 and B83 nuclear bombs

JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition)

GBU-57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) for bunker-busting

Internal weapons bays preserve the aircraft’s stealth.

5. Crew
Operated by two pilots: one commander and one mission commander.

Equipped with life-support, food, and sleeping systems for long missions.

 Development and Cost
Program Start: 1979 (under the Advanced Technology Bomber program)

First Flight: July 17, 1989

Service Entry: 1997

Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman, with support from Boeing and others

Unit Cost: Over $2 billion per aircraft (including R&D)

Total Built: Only 21 units (1 lost in 2008 crash)

 Operational Use
Based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

Used in conflicts in:

Kosovo (1999): Debut in combat

Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003)

Libya (2011): Precision strikes on air defenses
And recently to bomb Iranian nuclear sites.
Often flies from the U.S. directly to target zones around the globe and back, showcasing its reach.

 Limitations
High Operating Cost: ~$150,000 per flight hour

Maintenance-Intensive: Especially the stealth coating, which is delicate and labor-intensive.

Vulnerable on the Ground: Needs high-security hangars and facilities to protect its stealth integrity.

 Successor
Will eventually be replaced by the B-21 Raider, which is being developed to be more cost-effective, easier to maintain, and more versatile while incorporating next-generation stealth and networking capabilities.

Summary
The B-2 Spirit is a masterpiece of stealth and strategic deterrence. It’s built to strike anywhere in the world, unseen and unchallenged. Though limited in number and costly, it’s a critical part of the U.S. Air Force’s ability to project power and deliver precision strikes in high-threat environments.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/b2-stealth-bombers-us-iran-strikes-10080840/