Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Stealth Attack Aircraft, Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer: Northrop Corporation (Northrop Grumman)
Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit Aircraft Overview
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a long-range, stealth bomber aircraft designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses to deploy both conventional and nuclear weapons. It was developed by Northrop Grumman in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and first flew in 1989.
The B-2 is a low-observable aircraft, meaning that it is designed to avoid detection by radar, infrared sensors, and other detection methods. It accomplishes this through its unique “flying wing” design, advanced materials, and coatings that absorb radar waves.
The B-2 has a range of over 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) without refueling, and can carry up to 40,000 pounds (18,000 kg) of bombs and other munitions. It has been used in combat in several conflicts, including the Kosovo War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.
The B-2 is one of the most expensive aircraft ever built, with a total program cost of over $44 billion. As of 2021, there are only 20 B-2s in service with the United States Air Force, and they are considered a critical component of the country’s strategic bombing capabilities.
Northrop Grumman B-2A Block 30 Specifications
- Crew: 2: pilot (left seat) and mission commander (right seat)
- Length: 69 ft 0 in (21.0 m)
- Wingspan: 172 ft 0 in (52.4 m)
- Height: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
- Wing area: 5,140 sq ft (478 m2)
- Empty weight: 158,000 lb (71,700 kg)
- Gross weight: 336,500 lb (152,200 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 376,000 lb (170,600 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 167,000 pounds (75,750 kg)
- Powerplant: 4 × General Electric F118-GE-100 non-afterburning turbofans, 17,300 lbf (77 kN) thrust each.
Northrop Grumman B-2A Block 30 Performance
- Maximum speed: 630 mph (1,010 km/h, 550 kn) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m) altitude / Mach 0.95 at sea level
- Cruise speed: 560 mph (900 km/h, 487 kn) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m) altitude
- Range: 6,900 mi (11,000 km, 6,000 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,200 m)
- Wing loading: 67.3 lb/sq ft (329 kg/m2)
- Thrust/weight: 0.205.
Northrop Grumman B-2A Block 30 Armament
- 2 internal bays for ordnance and payload with an official limit of 40,000 lb (18,000 kg); maximum estimated limit is 50,000 lb (23,000 kg)
- 80× 500 lb (230 kg) class bombs (Mk-82, GBU-38) mounted on Bomb Rack Assembly (BRA)
- 36× 750 lb (340 kg) CBU class bombs on BRA
- 16× 2,000 lb (910 kg) class bombs (Mk-84, GBU-31) mounted on Rotary Launcher Assembly (RLA)
- 16× B61 or B83 nuclear bombs on RLA (strategic mission)
- Standoff weapon: AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)
- 2× GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator.
