The Northrop B-2 Spirit is an American flying wing bomber that entered United States Air Force service in 1997, built without a separate fuselage or tail so that its shape and radar absorbent materials together minimize its radar cross section as a stealth aircraft. Capable of flying long unrefueled distances to deliver both nuclear and conventional weapons, it remains one of the most expensive aircraft ever built on a per unit basis, with a total fleet of only twenty one produced.
Facts
SignificanceNuclear-capable subsonic stealth strategic bomber, the only acknowledged in-service aircraft able to carry large air-to-surface standoff weapons in a stealth configuration. 1 Manufacturer or BuilderNorthrop Corporation (later Northrop Grumman) 1 Connections
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Sources
1. Wikipedia: Northrop B-2 Spirit
WikipediaWikipedia, Design and development section
The B-2 was designed by Northrop (later Northrop Grumman) as the prime contractor, with Boeing, Hughes Aircraft Company, and Vought as principal subcontractors.
Wikipedia lead paragraph, third sentence
The B-2 is the only acknowledged in-service aircraft that can carry large air-to-surface standoff weapons in a stealth configuration.
Wikipedia, Design and development section, prime-contractor paragraph
The B-2 was designed by Northrop (later Northrop Grumman) as the prime contractor, with Boeing, Hughes Aircraft Company, and Vought as principal subcontractors.
Wikipedia, Design and development section, service-entry paragraph
It entered service in 1997, considered the second stealth aircraft, after the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk.
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