Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit

The Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit is an American four-engine stealth heavy strategic bomber. It first flew on July 17, 1989, entering service on January 1, 1997, first saw combat during the Kosovo War in 1999. The air force initially planned to purchase 132 bombers but reduced it to 21 due to high costs; the program averaged $2.1 billion per airframe in 1997. The B-2 is housed in an air-conditioned hangar to prevent deterioration of the stealth coating.

Airframe construction is mainly carbon-graphite composites and various radar-absorbent materials (RAM). The airframe is a pure flying wing with no tail assembly; the centre body contains the cockpit, the weapons bays, and the electronics. The undercarriage is a retractable tailwheel type. The flight crew consists of two, a pilot and mission commander, with provision for a third crew member when required.

The Spirit uses four General Electric F118 non-afterburning turbofan engines mounted in pairs outboard of the centre body. The B-2A has a top speed of 1,010 km/h (630 mph), a cruise speed of 900 km/h (560 mph), a service ceiling of 15,200 m (50,000 ft) and a range of 11,000 km (6,900 mi).

Armament consists of two internal bays able to carry up to 18,000 kg (40,000 lb) of stores. The ordinance included assorted guided and nuclear bombs, Cruise missiles.