✈️ Aircraft Specifications
| Designation | B-2A |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| First Flight | 1989 |
| Length | 21.03 m (69 ft) |
| Max Speed (Mach) | 0.95 |
| Max Speed (km/h) | 1,010 km/h |
| Service Ceiling | 15,200 m (49,871 ft) |
| Range | 11,100 km (6,893 mi) |
| Engine | 4x General Electric F118-GE-100 turbofans |
| Crew | 2 |
| Status | Active |
Overview
The B-2 Spirit is the most expensive aircraft ever built at $2.1 billion per unit—and arguably the most capable. This flying-wing stealth bomber can penetrate the most sophisticated air defenses in the world and deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons with pinpoint accuracy from intercontinental range.
Design & Development
The B-2’s revolutionary flying-wing design eliminates the fuselage and tail—the largest radar reflectors on conventional aircraft. Its smooth, curved surfaces (second-generation stealth, unlike the F-117’s facets) scatter radar energy in all directions. The four buried GE F118 engines have serpentine inlets and cooled exhausts to minimize infrared and radar signatures. The aircraft’s radar cross-section is reportedly comparable to a large bird.
Operational History
Only 21 B-2s were built (20 operational + 1 test). They have seen combat in Kosovo (1999), Afghanistan (2001), Iraq (2003), and Libya (2011). B-2s routinely fly 40+ hour round-trip missions from Whiteman AFB in Missouri to targets anywhere on Earth, refueling in flight. In 2017, B-2s struck ISIS camps in Libya—a 34-hour round trip dropping 108 precision-guided bombs.
Unique Features
- Can carry 40,000 lb of ordnance including 16 B83 nuclear bombs
- Crew of 2 with sleeping quarters for ultra-long missions
- Automated mission planning can retarget weapons in flight
- Costs $135,000 per flight hour to operate
Armament
- 2 internal bays, 40,000 lb total
- 16× B83/B61 nuclear bombs
- 80× Mk 82 500 lb bombs
- 16× GBU-31 JDAM 2,000 lb
- 216× GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs
- AGM-158 JASSM cruise missiles
- GBU-57 MOP 30,000 lb bunker buster
Video
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the B-2 Spirit?
The B-2 is subsonic at Mach 0.95 (630 mph). It prioritizes stealth over speed.
Why were only 21 B-2s built?
The original plan was 132, but the Cold War’s end and extreme cost ($2.1 billion each) led Congress to cap production. One crashed in 2008, leaving 20.
How much does a B-2 cost?
Approximately $2.1 billion per unit (1997 dollars), making it the most expensive aircraft ever built.
Is the B-2 still in service?
Yes. In USAF service since 1997. Has flown 30+ hour combat missions from Whiteman AFB.