B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber in Action | Training

The Northrop (later Northrop Grumman) B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American heavy penetration strategic bomber, featuring low observable stealth technology designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses; it is a flying wing design with a crew of two. The bomber can deploy both conventional and thermonuclear weapons, such as eighty 500 lb (230 kg)-class (Mk 82) JDAM Global Positioning System-guided bombs, or sixteen 2,400 lb (1,100 kg) B83 nuclear bombs. The B-2 is the only acknowledged aircraft that can carry large air-to-surface standoff weapons in a stealth configuration.

Development originally started under the "Advanced Technology Bomber" (ATB) project during the Carter administration; its expected performance was one of his reasons for the cancellation of the supersonic B-1A bomber. The ATB project continued during the Reagan administration, but worries about delays in its introduction led to the reinstatement of the B-1 program as well. Program costs rose throughout development. Designed and manufactured by Northrop, later Northrop Grumman, the cost of each aircraft averaged US$737 million (in 1997 dollars).Total procurement costs averaged $929 million per aircraft, which includes spare parts, equipment, retrofitting, and software support. The total program cost including development, engineering and testing, averaged $2.1 billion per aircraft in 1997.

The B-2 is capable of all-altitude attack missions up to 50,000 feet (15,000 m), with a range of more than 6,000 nautical miles (6,900 mi; 11,000 km) on internal fuel and over 10,000 nautical miles (12,000 mi; 19,000 km) with one midair refueling. It entered service in 1997 as the second aircraft designed to have advanced stealth technology after the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk attack aircraft. Though designed originally as primarily a nuclear bomber, the B-2 was first used in combat, dropping conventional, non-nuclear ordnance in the Kosovo War in 1999. It later served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Video Credits: U.S. Air Force | United States Department of Defense

[sanctuary]

30 years old, but it still looks like something from the future.

[cassy-]

My dad is retired Air Force and he used to work on B2s! He would always tell us when he was going to run engine tests so we'd know when to go outside on the porch and listen and when we heard the rumble of the jet engines we knew it was our dad! To this day I still miss that ❤️

[johnennen]

This was one of the best military programs I worked on! I remember the roll out and first flight, glad I was part of the family!!!

[balusindiancuisine]

The way the fuel entry point rotates and then completely disappears is amazing. Like it’s invisible. Whole thing is spectacular

[KipSupernova]

I know, it´s a weapon, and I´m against war, but ... this airplane is so beautiful and looks like from a science-fiction movie. Great!!!

[royresendez]

One of the greatest moments of my life, was watching one of the beautiful machines fly right over our Rig two times. It seemed like a low pass, and man you couldn’t hear it coming at all. It was very quiet, just like a black spec in the air, until it got close. Then it flew over us, and you couldn’t hear it at all until, it was a few miles away did you hear a low sound. It flew over twice, and it’s something I’ll never forget. Amazing is all I can say. This happened in 2019, in Karnes City, Texas.

[davidtheguitarman]

I'm Italian and I have to say that when it comes to aerospace stuff nothing can top American planes and jets. They're just too badass.

[thenewpatticakes]

I love how the mid-air refueling hatch disappears seamlessly afterwards

[acolytesun]

I’ll never forget when 4 of these took off from Hill AFB and flew right over my school at low altitude. Back in 2011. Coolest thing ever.

[RealCristianoPenaldo]

3:53 did yall see how the refueling hatch seamlessly flipped back? It's like it became part of the B-2

[staytoasty]

*Netflix:* Are you still watching?
*Somebody’s daughter:* 3:04

[hildazubricky]

My Dad and his company machined the refueling canopies for these. I got to see them in his shop and they were huge! It was so awesome to know that he and his employees made these!! His company did a lot of contract work for the military and so many aircraft have his parts on them.

[gar]

Not only is this plane just freakin awesome in every way it’s absolutely beautiful to look at.

[userGGG]

3:59 that precision of work is marvelous.

[salutic.]

Back in the 50s just imagine the people’s faces if this were to be flown over a major city, like several of these. They’d think the aliens are attacking lol

[kek]

The problem with refueling that Beast is that a small scratch would damage the Radar coating and would significantly enlarge the Planes Profile. That's why the Bomb bay Doors have multiple Systems to close them if one fails. The last thing you wanna have during a fight is a stealth plane with a massive cross section.

[mason]

I can't get over just how young these pilots and technicians are! So professional and handling more than my little brain could ever fathom- all at super young ages!

[diegosisconetto]

THIS IS THE ONE OF THE MOST ALIENS AIRCCRAFT EVERY MADE OF HUMAN KIND !!!! THIS IS BEAUTIFULL TO SEE !!! CONGRATULATIONS 4 THE TEAM THAT MADE IT

[giorodrigues]

The most beatiful airplane ever created. Nothing can compare to this beauty.

[flyingcat]

I don’t know much about military
All I know is that I’ve loved the shape of this plane since the first time I saw it