The B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber at 34 … Still Tough and Ready for War

By Maya Carlin, Warrior Contributor, Weapons

On July 17, 1989, the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 stealth bomber first took to the skies. Thirty-four years have gone by, but the formidable airframe continues to serve as a key component of America’s long-range strike arsenal.

The platform’s manufacturer, Northrop Grumman, released a statement this week proudly asserting that “three decades later, the iconic flying wing is more advanced than ever and in a class of its own.” The statement added that by “morphing with the times, the B-2’s avionics technology, stealth, and armament have evolved to ensure U.S. air dominance.”

The heavy strategic bomber designed to penetrate enemy anti-aircraft defenses may be old. But the Air Force continues to pour resources into the platform to ensure it stays relevant and capable.

The Origin Story of the B-2

The concept of stealth airframes dates back to the 1970s, when aircraft engineers discovered a method to avoid interceptors and missiles. The military wanted an airframe that could fly nearly undetected by deflecting or absorbing radar signals.

In the middle of the decade, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency collaborated with American aviation firms to determine the largest radar cross-section an airframe could have and still remain undetectable by enemy airframes. Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin were tapped to create stealth prototypes. Ultimately, Lockheed designed the F-117 airframe and Northrop created the technology that would become the B-2 stealth bomber.

Specs and Capabilities

Capable of all-altitude attack missions with long-ranges, the B-2 can fly to any point in the world within hours. Armament-wise, the Spirit can pack a punch. To separate weapons bays sit in the center of the airframe. With a carrying capacity of 40,000 pounds, the B-2 can carry conventional weapons, nuclear weapons, and a host of other munitions. As detailed by Air Force Technology, “Each weapons bay is equipped with a rotary launcher and two bomb-rack assemblies.