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[[Image:Stealth-bomber.jpg|300px|thumb|right|B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber]]  

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

The B-2 Spirit ("Stealth bomber") is an advanced, [[stealth]] aircraft developed by [[Northrup Grumman]]. The B-2 Spirit bomber has many benefits over other military bomber. Its main advantages are its, low-observable, strategic, long-range, and heavy bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defense shields.<ref>http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/</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>http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/</ref><ref>http://science.howstuffworks.com/stealth-bomber.htm</ref> It holds two separate weapons bays, both of which are equipped with a rotary launcher, and two bomb-rack assemblies.<ref> http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/</ref> An assessment published by the USAF showed that two B-2s armed with precision weaponry can do the job of 75 conventional aircraft.<ref> http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/</ref>  

The B-2 Spirit ("Stealth bomber") is an advanced, [[stealth]] aircraft developed by [[Northrup 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>http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/</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>http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/</ref><ref>http://science.howstuffworks.com/stealth-bomber.htm</ref> It holds two separate weapons bays, both of which are equipped with a rotary launcher, and two bomb-rack assemblies.<ref> http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/</ref> An assessment published by the USAF showed that two B-2s armed with precision weaponry can do the job of 75 conventional aircraft.<ref> http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/</ref>  

==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 had better range. The military awarded Jack Northrop with 88 million contract to build the new bomber. Jack 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>http://www.dau.mil/pubs/arq/2001arq/Baker.pdf</ref> The United States Air Force began it quest for a better bomber in 1970. In 1981, the first B-2 bomber was built. The new B-2 Spirit bomber was very similar to Jack Northrop's design, and much of the plane is attributed to him.      

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>http://www.dau.mil/pubs/arq/2001arq/Baker.pdf</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>http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Aerospace/Northrop/Aero40.htm</ref> The plane became fully operational in December 2003.<ref> http://science.howstuffworks.com/stealth-bomber.htm</ref>

 

 

 

 

[[Category:Airplanes]]

[[Category:Airplanes]]