The Northrop-Grumman B-2 Spirit

The latest offering in the field of 'stealth' bombers, the Spirit is also one of the best. It's 'stealth' characteristics allow this bomber access to some of the worlds most heavily defended airspace. This coupled with it's ability to carry large payloads, fly at high altitudes (while remaining undetected), and it's aerodynamic shape should be a worry for enemy planners.

The exact process that makes the aircraft 'invisible' to sensor is classified and will remain so for a long time. However the results of this process are a reduction in the normal characteristics used to locate and track aircraft from infrared, electromagnetic and radar to acoustic and visual.

The B-2 is currently based at Whiteman AFB. It became home to America's newest bomber 17 Dec 1993, 4 years after it's first flight on 17 July '89.

The B-2 is powered by 4 19,000 lb dry thrust General Electric F118-GE-110 turbofans. These power the B-2 along at 475 mph for a distance of 11,515 miles (18,532 Km) with just one midair refueling. When the B-2 reaches it's destination it can use it's bombs to devistating effect. The bombs are stored in 2 bomb bays. Each bay can hold 1 eight round Boeing Rotart Launcher. The range of bombs goes from the 20 megaton-range B61 thermonuclear devices to 16 1.1 megaton B83 thermonuclear devices to 22 1,500 lb or 80 500 lb conventional bombs.

With a bombload like that and a price tag of around $750 the 2 crew members and optional third crew member have an awesome responsibility.