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B-2 Spirit
The B-2 Spirit is the worlds first heavy stealth bomber,
it can travel intercontinental distances, deliver it's
payload and return home without ever being tracked on radar.
The B-2, along with the F-117, were unveiled to the public
in 1988. The USAF had a requirement for a total of 133
B-2 bombers, but because of the end of the Cold War and
the cost of each B-2, the total requirement now is only 21.
Primary function: Multi-role heavy bomber.
Prime Contractor: Northrop Grumman Corp.
Contractor Team: Boeing Military Airplanes Co., General Electric Aircraft
Engine Group and Hughes Training Inc., Link Division
Power Plant: Four General Electric F-118-GE-100 engines
Thrust: 17,300 pounds each engine
Length: 69 feet (20.9 meters)
Height: 17 feet (5.1 meters)
Wingspan: 172 feet (52.12 meters)
Speed: High subsonic
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,152 meters)
Takeoff Weight (Typical): 336,500 pounds (152,635 kilograms)
Range: Intercontinental, unrefueled
Armament: Conventional or nuclear weapons
Payload: 40,000 pounds (18,144 kilograms)
Crew: Two pilots
Unit cost: Approximately $1.3 billion
Date Deployed: December 1993
Inventory: Active force: 21 (planned operational aircraft); ANG: 0;
Reserve: 0
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