Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit

The stealth bomber built for penetrating strategic strike missions.

Overview

Northrop Grumman United States ICAO: B2 1997–2000 $2,100 million (2019)

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a long-range stealth bomber developed to evade advanced air defenses. Featuring a distinctive flying wing design, it is optimized for low observable performance and precision strike capability. The aircraft entered service during the post-Cold War era.

Live Fleet Activity (B2)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
4 × General Electric F118-GE-100
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
4 × 17,300 lbf · 77 kN
Avionics
Honeywell and GEC Avionics
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
68 ft 11 in  ·  21.00 m
Tail height
17 ft 0 in  ·  5.18 m
Fuselage diameter
—
Wing span
171 ft 11 in  ·  52.40 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
336,500 lb  ·  152,500 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
44,100 lb  ·  20,000 kg
Fuel capacity
24,950 gal · 94,400 L · 75,500 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
550 kt  ·  633 mph  ·  1,019 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
6,000 nm  ·  6,900 mi  ·  11,110 km
Fuel burn
0.24 nm/gal  ·  0.12 km/L
Ceiling
50,000 ft  ·  15,200 m
Rate of climb
3,000 ft/min  ·  15 m/s
Takeoff distance
6,700 ft  ·  2,040 m
Landing distance
3,450 ft  ·  1,050 m
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B-2 Spirit

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Operational Context

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit — stealth strategic bomber

The B-2 program originated in the late Cold War as part of efforts to develop a bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated air defense networks. The aircraft first flew in 1989 and entered operational service in 1997. Its flying wing configuration minimizes radar signature while maximizing aerodynamic efficiency.

Powered by four General Electric F118 turbofan engines producing approximately 17,300 pounds of thrust (77 kN) each, the B-2 cruises at high subsonic speed. Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 375,000 pounds (170,000 kg). The bomber can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons internally to preserve stealth characteristics.

The B-2 has been used in multiple conflicts, conducting long-range precision strike missions from continental bases. Its combination of stealth, payload, and global reach makes it one of the most advanced bombers in service. The aircraft remains a central element of U.S. strategic airpower.

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