Changes

[[Image:Stealth-bomber.jpg|250px|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 [[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>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 [[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" />

==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>http://www.dau.mil/pubs/arq/2001arq/Baker.pdf</ref> The [[United StatesAir 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>

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" />

== Facts ==

== Facts ==

[[Image:Bomberb-2.jpg‎ |200px|thumb|right|B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber]]  

[[Image:Bomberb-2.jpg‎ |200px|thumb|right|B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber]]  

*The B-2 was deployed for the first time during Operation Iraqi Freedom in March / April 2003. <ref> http://science.howstuffworks.com/stealth-bomber.htm</ref>

*The B-2 was deployed for the first time during Operation Iraqi Freedom 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>http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Aerospace/Northrop/Aero40.htm</ref>.

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

* The B-2 bombers range and speed, make it capable of flying anywhere around the world in hours

* The B-2 bombers range and speed, make it capable of flying anywhere around the world in hours

* The bomber is equipped with a special radar system, developed by [[Northrop Grumman]]. This system is known as Alternate High-Frequency Material (AHFM).  

* The bomber is equipped with a special radar system, developed by [[Northrop Grumman]]. This system is known as Alternate High-Frequency Material (AHFM).  

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Aircraft]]

[[Category:Aircraft]]