The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit first flew in 1989 and 21 B-2s are still in service with the US Air Force. It is designed to be completely invisible to radar.
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit first flew in 1989 and 21 B-2s are still in service with the US Air Force. It is designed to be completely invisible to radar.
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A B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
A B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
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The unique flying wing design is devoid of any surface that would easily reflect radar waves, such as a tail.
The unique flying wing design is devoid of any surface that would easily reflect radar waves, such as a tail.
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The B-2 can carry upwards of 40,000 pounds of bombs, including nuclear weapons.
The B-2 can carry upwards of 40,000 pounds of bombs, including nuclear weapons.
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The Northrop Grumman B-2 is one of three strategic bombers currently in service in the US Air Force, along the agile Rockwell B-1 Lancer, which first flew in 1974, and the gargantuan Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a legendary aircraft from the 1950s that has been constantly updated ever since.
The Northrop Grumman B-2 is one of three strategic bombers currently in service in the US Air Force, along the agile Rockwell B-1 Lancer, which first flew in 1974, and the gargantuan Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a legendary aircraft from the 1950s that has been constantly updated ever since.
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The B-2 Stealth Bomber made its combat debut on March 24, 1999, bombing targets in Yugoslavia.
The B-2 Stealth Bomber made its combat debut on March 24, 1999, bombing targets in Yugoslavia.
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The B-2 is the most expensive military aircraft, at $2 billion per unit.
The B-2 is the most expensive military aircraft, at $2 billion per unit.
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Former US President Bill Clinton aboard a B-2 bomber called "The Spirit of Indiana" at Whiteman base in Missouri.
Former US President Bill Clinton aboard a B-2 bomber called "The Spirit of Indiana" at Whiteman base in Missouri.
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A B-2 Spirit flies by during a US Air Force firepower demonstration at the Nevada Test and Training Range in 2007.
A B-2 Spirit flies by during a US Air Force firepower demonstration at the Nevada Test and Training Range in 2007.
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All B-2s are named after a US state and are among the most high maintenance planes in existence, requiring tens of hours of servicing for each hour of flight.
All B-2s are named after a US state and are among the most high maintenance planes in existence, requiring tens of hours of servicing for each hour of flight.
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The plane uses a combination of technologies, such as stealth or low observable technology, that make it difficult to detect in the air.
The plane uses a combination of technologies, such as stealth or low observable technology, that make it difficult to detect in the air.
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B-2s are occasionally used for flyovers, such as this one before the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California.
B-2s are occasionally used for flyovers, such as this one before the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California.
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A B-2 Bomber approaches a KC-135R Stratotanker for refueling. During missions, the B-2 has to refuel approximately every six hours.
A B-2 Bomber approaches a KC-135R Stratotanker for refueling. During missions, the B-2 has to refuel approximately every six hours.
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Initially, 132 B-2s were ordered, but the end of the Cold War and a reduction in defense budgets cut the order down to just 20, later revised to 21.
Initially, 132 B-2s were ordered, but the end of the Cold War and a reduction in defense budgets cut the order down to just 20, later revised to 21.