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The '''B-2 Spirit''' ("Stealth bomber") is an advanced, [[stealth]] aircraft developed by [[Northrop Grumman]]. The B-2 Spirit bomber has many benefits over other military bombers. Its main advantages are its, low-observable, strategic, long-range, and heavy bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defense shields.<ref name="Airforce tech">{{cite web|url=http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/|work=airforce-technology.com|language=English|format=HTML|title=B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, USA|accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref> The B-2 can also carry up to 40,000lb of the most technological advanced weapons, including,conventional and nuclear weapons, precision-guided munitions, gravity bombs, a range of maritime weapons, and even nuclear bombs.<ref name="Airforce tech" /><ref name="Howstuff">{{cite web|url=http://science.howstuffworks.com/stealth-bomber.htm|title=How Stealth Bombers Work|work=HowStuffWorks|author=Tom Harris|format=HTML|language=English|accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref> It holds two separate weapons bays, both of which are equipped with a rotary launcher, and two bomb-rack assemblies.<ref name="Airforce tech" /> An assessment published by the USAF showed that two B-2s armed with precision weaponry can do the job of 75 conventional aircraft.<ref name="Airforce tech" />

The '''B-2 Spirit''' ("Stealth bomber") is an advanced, [[stealth]] aircraft developed by [[Northrop Grumman]]. The B-2 Spirit bomber has many benefits over other military bombers. Its main advantages are its, low-observable, strategic, long-range, and heavy bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defense shields.<ref name="Airforce tech">{{cite web|url=http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/|work=airforce-technology.com|language=English|title=B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, USA|accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref> The B-2 can also carry up to 40,000lb of the most technological advanced weapons, including,conventional and nuclear weapons, precision-guided munitions, gravity bombs, a range of maritime weapons, and even nuclear bombs.<ref name="Airforce tech" /><ref name="Howstuff">{{cite web|url=http://science.howstuffworks.com/stealth-bomber.htm|title=How Stealth Bombers Work|work=HowStuffWorks|author=Tom Harris|language=English|accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref> It holds two separate weapons bays, both of which are equipped with a rotary launcher, and two bomb-rack assemblies.<ref name="Airforce tech" /> An assessment published by the USAF showed that two B-2s armed with precision weaponry can do the job of 75 conventional aircraft.<ref name="Airforce tech" />

==Mission==

==Mission==

In support of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]], the B-2 flew one of its longest missions to date from Whiteman to [[Afghanistan]] and back. The B-2 completed its first-ever combat deployment in support of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]], flying 22 sorties from the island of [[Diego Garcia]] in the Indian Ocean as well as 27 sorties from Whiteman AFB and releasing more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions. The B-2's proven combat performance led to declaration of full operational capability in December 2003.

In support of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]], the B-2 flew one of its longest missions to date from Whiteman to [[Afghanistan]] and back. The B-2 completed its first-ever combat deployment in support of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]], flying 22 sorties from the island of [[Diego Garcia]] in the Indian Ocean as well as 27 sorties from Whiteman AFB and releasing more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions. The B-2's proven combat performance led to declaration of full operational capability in December 2003.

The prime contractor, responsible for overall system design and integration, is Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems Sector. Boeing Military Airplanes Co., Hughes Radar Systems Group, General Electric Aircraft Engine Group and Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc., are key members of the aircraft contractor team. <ref>[http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=82&page=1 U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet], Accessed 02/23/2008</ref>

The prime contractor, responsible for overall system design and integration, is Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems Sector. Boeing Military Airplanes Co., Hughes Radar Systems Group, General Electric Aircraft Engine Group and Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc., are key members of the aircraft contractor team.<ref>[http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=82&page=1 U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet], Accessed 02/23/2008</ref>

[[Image:Stealth-bomber.jpg|250px|thumb|right|B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber]]

[[Image:Stealth-bomber.jpg|250px|thumb|right|B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber]]

==History==

==History==

Much of the design for the B-2 Spirit came from [[Jack Northrop]], the founder of what is now known as Northrup Grumman. In 1946 the United States military looked for a bomber to replace the aging, [[B-52]] bomber. They wanted a plane that was more advanced and one with  better range. The military awarded Jack Northrop with a 88 million contract to build a new bomber. Northrop began working on an idea for a plane which he called the "[[Flying Wing]]". But in 1947, the Air Force mysteriously ended his contract, and the project ended.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dau.mil/pubs/arq/2001arq/Baker.pdf|title=Clipped Wings: The Death of Jack Northrop's Flying Wing Bombers|author=Dr. Bud Baker|format=PDF|language=English|accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref> The [[United States Air Force]] restarted it quest for a better bomber in 1970. In 1981, the first B-2 bomber was built. The new 172-foot wide flying wing was very similar to Jack Northrop's design, and much of the plane is attributed to him.<ref name="Centennial">{{cite web|url=http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Aerospace/Northrop/Aero40.htm|title=Jack Northrop and the Northrop Corporation|work=U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission|author=Judy Rumerman|accessdate=2007-08-20|language=English|format=HTML}}</ref> The plane became fully operational in December 2003.<ref name="Howstuff" />

Much of the design for the B-2 Spirit came from [[Jack Northrop]], the founder of what is now known as Northrup Grumman. In 1946 the United States military looked for a bomber to replace the aging, [[B-52]] bomber. They wanted a plane that was more advanced and one with  better range. The military awarded Jack Northrop with a 88 million contract to build a new bomber. Northrop began working on an idea for a plane which he called the "[[Flying Wing]]". But in 1947, the Air Force mysteriously ended his contract, and the project ended.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dau.mil/pubs/arq/2001arq/Baker.pdf|title=Clipped Wings: The Death of Jack Northrop's Flying Wing Bombers|author=Dr. Bud Baker|format=PDF|language=English|accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref> The [[United States Air Force]] restarted it quest for a better bomber in 1970. In 1981, the first B-2 bomber was built. The new 172-foot wide flying wing was very similar to Jack Northrop's design, and much of the plane is attributed to him.<ref name="Centennial">{{cite web|url=http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Aerospace/Northrop/Aero40.htm|title=Jack Northrop and the Northrop Corporation|work=U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission|author=Judy Rumerman|accessdate=2007-08-20|language=English}}</ref> The plane became fully operational in December 2003.<ref name="Howstuff" />

   

   

== Facts ==

== Facts ==

[[Image:Bomberb-2.jpg‎ |250px|thumb|right|B-2 Spirit flies over the St. Louis Arch]]  

[[Image:Bomberb-2.jpg‎|250px|thumb|right|B-2 Spirit flies over the St. Louis Arch]]  

*The B-2 was forward-deployed for the first time during the [[Iraq War]] in March / April 2003.<ref name="Howstuff" />

*The B-2 was forward-deployed for the first time during the [[Iraq War]] in March / April 2003.<ref name="Howstuff" />

* [[Jack Northrop]], one of the leading designer of the B-2 bomber, also help design the [[Spirit of St. Louis]].<ref name="Centennial" />

* [[Jack Northrop]], one of the leading designer of the B-2 bomber, also help design the [[Spirit of St. Louis]].<ref name="Centennial" />

{{reflist|2}}

{{reflist|2}}

== See Also ==

== See also ==

* [[Strategic Air Command]]

* [[Strategic Air Command]]

* [[War]]

* [[War]]

== External Links ==

== External links ==

* [http://www.af.mil/tv/index.asp?showid=121 B-2 SPIRIT Video]

* [http://www.af.mil/tv/index.asp?showid=121 B-2 SPIRIT Video]

*[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,332038,00.html B-2 Stealth Bomber Crashes in Guam; Pilots Eject Safely], ''[[Fox News Channel|Fox News]]'', February 23, 2008

*[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,332038,00.html B-2 Stealth Bomber Crashes in Guam; Pilots Eject Safely], ''[[Fox News Channel|Fox News]]'', February 23, 2008

*[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,364185,00.html Video of B-2 Bomber Crash Released With Investigation Findings], ''[[Fox News Channel|Fox News]]'', June 06, 2008

*[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,364185,00.html Video of B-2 Bomber Crash Released With Investigation Findings], ''[[Fox News Channel|Fox News]]'', June 6, 2008

[[Category:Aircraft]]

[[Category:Aircraft]]

[[Category:United States Air Force]]

[[Category:United States Air Force]]