The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

Along with the B-52 and B-1B, the B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or "stealth," characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets. Its capability to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provide a strong, effective deterrent and combat force well into the 21st century.
The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers. Its low-observability provides it greater freedom of action at high altitudes, thus increasing its range and a better field of view for the aircraft's sensors. Its unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers).

The first B-2 was publicly displayed on Nov. 22, 1988, when it was rolled out of its hangar at Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, Calif. Its first flight was July 17, 1989. The B-2 Combined Test Force, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is responsible for flight testing the engineering, manufacturing and development aircraft as they are produced.
Whiteman AFB, Mo., is the B-2's only operational base. The first aircraft, Spirit of Missouri, was delivered Dec. 17, 1993. Depot maintenance responsibility for the B-2 is performed by Air Force contractor support and is managed at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker AFB, Okla.

The success of the B-2 was proved in Operation Allied Force, where it was responsible for destroying 33 percent of all Serbian targets in the first eight weeks, by flying nonstop to Kosovo from its home base in Missouri and back. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the B-2 flew one of its longest missions to date from Whiteman to Afghanistan and back.

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. Another major contractor, responsible for aircrew training devices (weapon system trainer and mission trainer) is Hughes Training Inc. (HTI) - Link Division, formerly known as CAE - Link Flight Simulation Corp. Northrop Grumman and its major subcontractor HTI, are responsible for developing and integrating all aircrew and maintenance training programs.

Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems sector has been awarded an $85.9 million contract by the U.S. Air Force for the next phase of the B-2 radar modernization program, a multiyear effort to design and integrate a new radar antenna on the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.

Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems sector has been awarded an $85.9 million contract by the U.S. Air Force for the next phase of the B-2 radar modernization program, a multiyear effort to design and integrate a new radar antenna on the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.

Northrop Grumman's work on the radar modernization program began in October 2002 with a $34.2 million contract for the first phase. The program is estimated to be worth more than $900 million to the company through 2010. The company's B-2 work is based in Palmdale, Calif.

Raytheon Company's Space and Airborne Systems in El Segundo, Calif., which provided the original B-2 radar, is the principal subcontractor to Northrop Grumman on the radar modernization program.

Northrop Grumman's B-2 program is managed by Integrated Systems' Air Combat Systems business area.

The AN/APQ-181 radar system enables the unique combination of stealth, range, payload, and precision weapons delivery capabilities of the U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The radar currently employs a passive, two-dimensionally scanned antenna.

In 2002, the Air Force initiated the B-2 Radar Modernization Program (RMP) that will modernize the 1980-vintage design to yield a far more robust, capable system to support the aircraft well into the 21st century. Raytheon was selected to upgrade the radar with a frequency-compliant active electronically scanned antenna (AESA) as the first step in the RMP. The upgraded system's hardware design provides two redundant radar sets. When the RMP is complete, each radar set will consist of five line replaceable units or LRUs: the AESA and its associated power supply, signal processor, data processor, and receiver/exciter. In the event of a malfunction, the redundant components will continue to provide a fully functioning radar system, assuring B-2 mission effectiveness.

In 1991, the B-2 Industrial Team (including Hughes, now Raytheon) was awarded the Collier Trophy, widely considered the most prestigious U.S. aviation award. The award was in recognition of the "design, development, production, and flight testing of the B-2 aircraft, which has contributed significantly to America's enduring leadership in aerospace and the country's future national security."

September 17, 2003, Boeing and the U.S. Air Force successfully completed their first 80 guided weapon flight test demonstration of the MK-82 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). The drop took place from a B-2A bomber on September 10 at the Utah Test & Training Range, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

The B-2A aircraft, based at Edwards AFB, Calif., flew to the test site and released the 80 weapons in a single 22-second pass. The weapons were released from four Boeing-designed and built “smart” bomb racks, flew their planned flight paths and attacked all 80 targets.

“Placing maximum steel on the target is what we get paid to do as Air Force bomber pilots and that happened today in a big way,” said Major William Power, 419th Flight Test Squadron B-2A project pilot. “Dropping 80 JDAM MK-82s in less than 30 seconds, with each attacking their own individual targets, is truly revolutionary.”

JDAM is a low-cost guidance kit that converts existing unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided “smart” weapons. Boeing produces kits for 2,000 and 1,000-pound warheads and recently completed development for the 500-pound JDAM. The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a production contract to produce the first 5,800 MK-82 JDAMs which will be available in 2004.

“This historic drop clearly demonstrates the incredible capability of the MK-82 JDAM,” said Mike Marks, vice president and general manager of Air Force fighter, bomber and weapons programs, for Boeing. “This smaller warhead allows the warfighter to increase the number of weapons and subsequent targets while reducing collateral damage.”

The B-2 flight test program began in February 2003 as part of a separate contract to integrate the MK-82 JDAM and concluded with the 80-weapon demonstration.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, or IDS, is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $25 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.

Northrop Grumman has developed a new radar-absorbent coating to preserve the B-2's stealth characteristics while drastically reducing maintenance time. The new material, known as Alternate High-Frequency Material (AHFM), is sprayed on by four independently controlled robots.

B-2

B-2 Cutaway

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