The Northrop B-2 'Spirit' is the culmination of work by the company that began back in the World War 2 period, resulting such designs as the XB-35 and YB-49 flying wings. The B-2 originated during the latter stages of the Cold War period as a stealth-centric penetrator capable of precision-guided weapons delivery, both conventional and nuclear. The result was the Spirit which has continued to serve the USAF. With the end of the Cold War, the 133 aircraft planned became just 21 including the original developmental model. Today, the B-2 makes up one-third the strategic bomber force of the USAF that includes the B-52 'Stratofortress' and B-1 'Lancer'.
2 CREW
Speed
628 MPH
Ceiling
49,869 FEET
Range
6,835 MILES
Mission Roles
GROUND ATTACK
STRIKE
RECON
Gallery
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
Operational Range 6,835 miles | 11,000 km | 5,940 nm
(Showcased performance statistics pertain to the B-2A (Block 30) production model)
Length 68.90 feet (21.00 meters)
Width 172.24 feet (52.50 meters)
Height 16.99 feet (5.18 meters)
(Showcased measurements pertain to the B-2A (Block 30) production model)
Empty 158,071 lb (71,700 kg)
M.T.O.W. 376,108 lb (170,600 kg)
(Showcased weights pertain to the B-2A (Block 30) production model)
2 x Internal bays housed in the center body rated for up to 50,000lb of air-launched / air-dropped ordnance including conventional drop bombs, precision-guided / laser-guided bombs, nuclear (B61/B83) weapons, AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW), and the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). Supported Types:
Close-in Gun(s)
Air-to-Surface Missiles
Precision-Guided Bombs
Conventional Drop Bombs
Nuclear Weapons
B-2 'Spirit' - Base Series Designation.
B-2A - Primary production model; 21 total aircraft completed.
B-2A (Block Test/30) - Developmental / operational aircraft AV-1 through AV-6.
B-2A (Block 10) - Operational models from AV-7 through AV-16.
B-2A (Block 20) - Operational models from AV-17 through AV-19.
B-2A (Block 30) - Operational models AV-20 and AV-21.
Related to the B-2 "Spirit"
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"Spirit"
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Close-in Gun(s)
Air-to-Surface Missiles
Precision-Guided Bombs
Conventional Drop Bombs
Nuclear Weapons
