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B-2 Spirit A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit flying over the Pacific Ocean in 2016 General information Type Stealth strategic heavy bomber National origin United States Manufacturer Northrop Corporation Northrop Grumman Status In service Primary user United States Air Force Number built 21 History Manufactured 1987–2000 Introduction date 1 January 1997 First flight 17 July 1989 ; 35 years ago ...
It is intended that the bomb will be deployed on the B-2 Spirit, and will be guided using GPS. [6] [7] It is also planned to be deployed on the B-21 Raider. [8] In July 2007, Northrop Grumman announced a $2.5-million stealth-bomber refit contract. Each of the U.S. Air Force's B-2s is to be able to carry two 14-ton MOPs. [9] [10]
Stealth aircraft are typically more expensive to develop and manufacture. An example is the B-2 Spirit that is many times more expensive to manufacture and support than conventional bomber aircraft. The B-2 program cost the U.S. Air Force almost $45 billion. [24]
The employment of U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers demonstrates U.S. global strike capabilities to take action against these targets when necessary, anytime, anywhere."
A B-2 Spirit dropping Mk82 bombs into the Pacific Ocean in a 1994 training exercise off Point Mugu, California.. With a nominal weight of 500 lb (230 kg), it is one of the smallest bombs in current service, and one of the most common air-dropped weapons in the world.
The B-21 is slated to, by 2040, replace the U.S. Air Force's 45 B-1 strategic bombers, which date from the 1980s, and 19 B-2 strategic bombers, which date from the 1990s. The B-21 may also eventually replace the B-52, which originally dates from the 1950s and is slated to remain in service for many decades.
The B-2 weapon system, which costs $44.6 billion, is tested and evaluated operationally by the squadron. The squadron assesses the B-2 weapons system's capability to meet all significant requirements and reports weapon system capabilities.
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