the b-2 spirit bomber

Development 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[b-1 lancer]. The ATB project continued during the Reagan administration, but worries about delays in its introduction led to the reinstatement of the B-1 program. 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).[3] Total procurement costs averaged $929 million per aircraft, which includes spare parts, equipment, retrofitting, and software support.[3] The total program cost, which included development, engineering and testing, averaged $2.1 billion per aircraft in 1997.[3]

The B-2 Spirit was developed to take over the USAF's vital penetration missions, able to travel deep into enemy territory to deploy their ordnance which could include nuclear weapons.[62] The B-2 is a flying wing aircraft, meaning that it has no fuselage or tail.[62] It has significant advantages over previous bombers due to its blend of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload. Low observability provides a greater freedom of action at high altitudes, thus increasing both range and field of view for onboard sensors. The U.S. Air Force reports its range as approximately 6,000 nautical miles (6,900 mi; 11,000 km).[7][63] At cruising altitude, the B-2 refuels every six hours, taking on up to 50 short tons (45,000 kg) of fuel at a time.[64]

Reportedly, the B-2 has a radar cross-section (RCS) of about 0.1 m2 (1.1 sq ft). The bomber does not always fly stealthily; when nearing air defenses pilots "stealth up" the B-2, a maneuver whose details are secret. The aircraft is stealthy, except briefly when the bomb bay opens. The B-2's clean, low-drag flying wing configuration not only provides exceptional range but is also beneficial to reducing its radar profile.The flying wing design most closely resembles a so-called infinite flat plate (as vertical control surfaces dramatically increase RCS), the perfect stealth shape, as it would lack angles to reflect back radar waves (initially, the shape of the Northrop ATB concept was flatter; it gradually increased in volume according to specific military requirements).

Reportedly, the B-2 has a radar cross-section (RCS) of about 0.1 m2 (1.1 sq ft). The bomber does not always fly stealthily; when nearing air defenses pilots "stealth up" the B-2, a maneuver whose details are secret. The aircraft is stealthy, except briefly when the bomb bay opens. The B-2's clean, low-drag flying wing configuration not only provides exceptional range but is also beneficial to reducing its radar profile.The flying wing design most closely resembles a so-called infinite flat plate (as vertical control surfaces dramatically increase RCS), the perfect stealth shape, as it would lack angles to reflect back radar waves (initially, the shape of the Northrop ATB concept was flatter; it gradually increased in volume according to specific military requirements).

Angles on which the radar waves are deflected by a B-2 spirit Bomber....

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 0.95 (550 knots, 630 mph, 1,010 km/h) at 40,000 ft altitude / Mach 0.95 at sea level[147]

• Cruise speed: Mach 0.85[63] (487 knots, 560 mph, 900 km/h) at 40,000 ft altitude

• Range: 6,000 nmi (11,100 km (6,900 mi))

• Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,200 m)

• Wing loading: 67.3 lb/ft² (329 kg/m²)

• Thrust/weight: 0.205

Armament

• 2 internal bays for ordnance and payload with an official limit of 40,000 lb (18,000 kg); maximum estimated limit is 50,000 lb (23,000 kg).[63]

  • 80× 500 lb class bombs (Mk-82, GBU-38) mounted on Bomb Rack Assembly (BRA)

  • 36× 750 lb CBU class bombs on BRA

  • 16× 2,000 lb class bombs (Mk-84, GBU-31) mounted on Rotary Launcher Assembly (RLA)

  • 16× B61 or B83 nuclear bombs on RLA (strategic mission)

  • Standoff weapon: AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)

General characteristics

• Crew: 2: pilot (left seat) and mission commander (right seat)

• Length: 69 ft (21.0 m)

• Wingspan: 172 ft (52.4 m)

• Height: 17 ft (5.18 m)

• Wing area: 5,140 ft² (478 m²)

• Empty weight: 158,000 lb (71,700 kg)

• Loaded weight: 336,500 lb (152,200 kg)

• Max. takeoff weight: 376,000 lb (170,600 kg)

• Fuel Capacity: 167,000 pounds (75,750 kg)

• Powerplant: 4 × General Electric F118-GE-100 non-afterburning turbofans, 17,300 lbf (77 kN) each