Northrop B-2 Spirit

Summary

Description

The origins of the B-2 Spirit date back to the late 1970s when the Pentagon began to take an interest in stealth technologies. At that time, Northrop, the manufacturer, was secretly working on a project for a stealth bomber called Tacit Blue, while Lockheed was developing its own project called Have Blue, which would later result in the F-117 Nighthawk.

In September 1980, shortly after the Reagan administration came to power, the Pentagon chose Northrop, in partnership with Boeing, for the development of an advanced stealth bomber project, codenamed ATB: Advanced Technology Bomber. The concept of a flying wing seemed most suitable for reducing an aircraft's radar signature, and Northrop already had experience in this area with the Northrop N-1M, N-9M, and YB-35 in the 1940s.

The development of the aircraft was conducted in utmost secrecy until 1988. Northrop and the Pentagon were legally obliged to disclose the development of a large-scale project and therefore released minimal details. The funding for the ATB was designated under the codename "Aurora." Finally, in November 1988, the first prototype AV-1 conducted its first ground rollout, witnessed by a distant public. This was followed by the first flight test on July 17, 1989, at Edwards AFB in California.

The B-2 Spirit is a large, flying wing-shaped aircraft with a "W" configuration, without any vertical surfaces or fully flat surfaces. Its aerodynamic instability makes manual piloting impossible, so it is equipped with electronic assistance using four redundant circuits. Its structure is composed of 80% composite materials including titanium, carbon, and epoxy. The engines are deeply integrated into the structure to reduce the infrared signature of exhaust gases, and acid is injected at the rear of the nozzles to prevent the formation of condensation trails. The dark paint used contributes to stealth through radar wave absorption and infrared emissions properties. Moreover, the number of rivets and access panels has been minimized to reduce radar-detectable irregularities. However, stealth deficiencies were discovered in 1991 concerning advanced ground radars and certain Russian missiles such as the SA-10 Grumble and SA-12 Gladiator.

The B-2 is capable of performing conventional or nuclear strategic bombing missions, carrying up to 22,680 kg of armament in its two side bays, potentially mounted on rotary launchers. It can deliver a wide range of conventional bombs, both unguided and guided (e.g., 80 Mk.82 bombs), as well as cruise missiles. It can also carry up to 16 nuclear warheads: B83 bombs (up to 1.2 megatons), B61 bombs (up to several hundred kilotons), and B61-11 missiles.

The cockpit accommodates a pilot and copilot, seated on ACES II ejection seats, and can accommodate a third crew member for long-duration missions. The Spirit is known for being a pleasure to pilot and is particularly responsive to increased thrust from the engines due to its minimal drag. With a range of approximately 12,000 km without aerial refueling, it can literally reach any point on the globe in one mission with refueling.

However, although the initial ATB program planned for an order of 132 aircraft, the exorbitant cost of B-2 development prompted Congress to drastically reduce the numbers, especially after the fall of the Soviet Union. Currently, 21 aircraft are in operational service, with an annual maintenance budget of $700 million. In total, the B-2 program has cost the United States $44.78 billion, resulting in a unit price of $2.13 billion (2 to 3 times its weight in gold). No additional production of the B-2 is planned.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	United States	18

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

United States

Armament

Bombs payload:

• Thermonuclear B61
• Guided Boeing GBU-57A/B
• Thermonuclear Livermore B83
• Low-Drag Mk 82
• Low-Drag Mk 84

Photo of B-2 Spirit

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