The B-2 Spirit

The B-2 Spirit is the most strategic bomber in the world. It is completely invisible to radar because it is painted with a material called RAM that 'absorbs' radar. It is best during night missions because of its stealth, precision, and black color. It is extremely quiet, hence the name 'Spirit'. It is capable of carrying cruise missiles on a rotarty launcher and carrying an amazing 80 Mk 82 general purpose bombs. The only time it is visible on radar is when it opens its bomb bay doors and/or fires or drops a weapon because the weapons are not painted with RAM.

SPECIFICATIONS ( LOAD OUT INFORMATION)

Type: Two-seat, long-range strategic bomber.

Power plant: Four 19,000-lb.-thrust General Electric F118-GE-110 turbofan engines

Max Speed: 475 m.p.h. above 40,000 ft.

Range: 7,600 mi.

Ceiling: 50,000 ft.

Weights: Empty 110,000 lb.; loaded 376,000 lb.

Weapons: Normal strategic load of eight B61 or B83 nuclear bombs, or 16 stand-off nuclear missiles on rotary launcher in bomb bay; maximum conventional load of 80 Mk 82 500-lb. conventional bombs or up to 50,000 lb. of other conventional weapons.

Dimensions:    Span    172 ft.

Length:    69 ft.

Height:    17 ft.

Wing area:    2,110 sq. ft.

Range

Thanks to its large fuel capacity and highly efficient turbofan engines, the Northrop B-2 has a truly global range. Others can fly as far, but noth with a heavy warload or such economy.

Bombload

Although it is much smaller than the massive TUPOLEV Tu-160 "Blackjack," the B-2 can carry a much heavier load. The B-1B can carry even more, but not as far.

Speed

Both the B-1B and the Tu-160 are designed to make the last portion of an attack at supersonic speeds to give the maximum chance of survival. The B-2's stealthiness means that it does not need this highly expensive and fuel-hungry capability.