When the Northrop B-2 Spirit was first introduced to the public on November 22, 1988 people were astonished by the new futuristic and different look of the aircraft.

The B-2 was about to replace the F-117 Stealth bomber as it was like some say, just an improved version of the F-117.

The B-2 Spirit is a long-range bomber which was designed to avoid enemy radar without being detected during the Cold war. It could carry up to 16 nuclear bombs at a time.

The Stealth flying mode is achieved by the combination of reduced electromagnetic, visual, infrared, sound and radar signatures. The plane is also covered by the graphite-epoxy materials, which absorb the radar waves and help to its stealthiness.

With the crew of two (pilot, mission commander) the B-2 can carry up to 18 tons of weapons, mostly bombs and also nuclear bombs.

During the mission the B-2 can penetrate almost any radar system undetected, and fly deep into the enemy’s territory as it can fly in ranges up to 9650km/6000miles.

One of the B-2’s debut was in 1999 when two aircraft dropped 33 tons of ammunition on Serbian territory. It was a long 31-hour non-stop mission, which started in base in Missouri, USA. The B-2 has destroyed 33% of all Serbian targets during the war.

Cost for this bomber can be compared to the Space shuttle, as it costs around 1.2 billion US dollars.

Preferences:

Power: four General Electric 7800kg thrust engines

Armament: 18 tons of weapons

Size: wingspan – 52.12m

Length – 20.9m

Height 5.1m

Weights: 69,800kg

Max take-off: 170,000kg

Max speed – 568mph

Ceiling – 15 km

Videos of B2 in combat >>>