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 FAQs
How many B-2 Spirit bombers did the Air Force plan to buy?
It planned 133 and cut that to 21 active duty aircraft.
The Air Force originally planned to acquire 133 stealth bombers. That number was later cut to 21 active duty aircraft.
How does the B-2 Spirit keep its engines from showing on radar?
The engines sit inside the flying wing, so their blades are hidden from radar.
The contoured wing of the B-2 contains the crew compartment, payload bays and engines. This engine placement buries the highly radar reflective fan and turbine blades within the bomber's interior.
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Manufactured By
Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
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.
In Group: Bombers, Lead sentence
The Northrop B-2 Spirit is an American nuclear-capable subsonic stealth strategic bomber, often referred to as a "stealth bomber", solely operated by the United States Air Force.
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