Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit – Photos & Videos

O Northrop (mais tarde Northrop Grumman) B-2 Spirit, também conhecido como O Bombardeiro Furtivo, é um bombardeiro estratégico pesado americano, com baixa tecnologia furtiva observável projetada para penetrar defesas antiaéreas densas. Projetado durante a Guerra Fria, é um projeto de asa voadora com uma tripulação de dois. O bombardeiro é subsônico e pode implantar armas convencionais e termonucleares, como até 800 kg de bombas nucleares Mk 82 JDAM, ou 1.100 kg de bombas nucleares B83. O B-2 é a única aeronave reconhecida que pode transportar grandes armas de impasse ar-superfície em uma configuração furtiva.

Fonte: Espírito Northrop Grumman B-2 na Wikipédia

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a stealth bomber that can deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons to any target in the world. It has a unique flying wing design that reduces its radar signature and makes it hard to detect by enemy defenses. The B-2 was developed by Northrop Grumman in the 1980s and first flew in 1989. It entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 1997 and has been used in several conflicts, including Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.
The B-2 has a crew of two pilots and can carry up to 40,000 pounds (18,000 kg) of ordnance, including gravity bombs, guided bombs, cruise missiles and smart weapons. It can also carry two B83 nuclear bombs, each with a yield of 1.2 megatons. The B-2 has a range of over 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) without refueling and can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,000 m). It has a maximum speed of Mach 0.95 (about 630 mph or 1,010 km/h).
The B-2 is one of the most advanced and expensive aircraft ever built. It cost about $2.1 billion per unit (in 1997 dollars) and requires a high level of maintenance and support. Only 21 B-2s were produced and they are based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. The B-2 is expected to remain in service until at least 2032, when it will be replaced by the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider, a new stealth bomber that is currently under development.