Military and Strategic Journal
Issued by the Directorate of Morale Guidance at the General Command of the Armed Forces
United Arab Emirates
Founded in August 1971

2023-03-23

B-2 Bomber: A Dramatic Leap Forward in Technology

The B-2 stealth bomber, also called Spirit, with its unique flying wing configuration and low observable, radar-evading, or stealth, technology is a versatile multi-role bomber, capable of delivering both nuclear and conventional munitions. 
 
The U.S. Air Force’s B-2 is a key component of the nation’s long-range strike arsenal, and one of the most survivable aircraft in the world. Its unique stealth characteristics allow it to penetrate the most sophisticated enemy defences.
 
The sleek structure is reminiscent of the B-35, developed by Northrop during the 1940s, and uses advanced composites, such as resin-impregnated graphite fibre, rather than metal.
 
A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernisation programme. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe.
 
Computer-aided Design
The development and construction of B-2 required pioneering use of computer-aided design and manufacturing technologies.
 
To bring the B-2 to life, Northrop Grumman had to invent all components from scratch. That list included tools, a software laboratory, composite materials, special test equipment, and 3-D modelling and computer systems. Related manufacturing processes were also created.
 
In terms of dimension, the B-2 is 69 feet long, 17 feet high and has a wingspan of 172 feet, half the length of a football field.
The B-2 can reach a high subsonic speed and can reach an altitude of more than 50,000 feet.
The aircraft can carry a payload of 20 tonnes.
 
It can fly 6,000 nautical miles unrefuelled and more than 10,000 nautical miles with just one aerial refuelling, giving it the ability to reach any point on the globe within hours and hold at risk an enemy’s most heavily defended targets. 
 
Northrop Grumman has developed a 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.
 
The B-21 is a digital bomber. Northrop Grumman uses agile software development, advanced manufacturing techniques and digital engineering tools to help mitigate production risk on the B-21 programme and enable modern sustainment practices. 
 
First Flight
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, California. Its first flight was on July 17, 1989. The B-2 Combined Test Force, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California, is responsible for flight-testing the engineering, manufacturing, and development aircraft on the B-2.
 
Whiteman AFB, Missouri, is the only operational base for the B-2. 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 combat effectiveness of the B-2 was proved in Operation Allied Force, where it was responsible for destroying 33 per cent 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 B-2 completed its first-ever combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying 22 sorties from a forward operating location as well as 27 sorties from Whiteman AFB and releasing more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions. The aircraft received full operational capability status in December 2003. On Feb. 1, 2009, the Air Force’s newest command, Air Force Global Strike Command, assumed responsibility for the B-2 from Air Combat Command.
 
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.
 
Three Configuration Blocks
B-2s are available in three configuration blocks--blocks 10, 20, and 30. 
Block 10 configured aircraft provide limited combat capability with no capability to launch conventional guided weapons. The Block 10 model carries only Mk-84 2,000-pound conventional bombs or gravity nuclear weapons. B-2s in this configuration are located at Whiteman Air Force Base and are used primarily for training.
Block 20 configured aircraft have an interim capability to launch nuclear and conventional munitions, including the GAM guided munition. The Block 20 has been tested with the Mk-84, 2,000-pound, general-purpose bombs and the CBU-87/B Combined Effects Munition cluster bombs (low-altitude, full-bay release).
 
Block 30 configured aircraft are fully capable and meet the essential employment capabilities defined by the Air Force. The first fully configured Block 30 aircraft, AV-20 Spirit of Pennsylvania, was delivered to the Air Force on August 7, 1997. Compared to the Block 20, the Block 30s have almost double the radar modes along with enhanced terrain-following capability and the ability to deliver additional weapons, including the Joint Direct Attack Munition and the Joint Stand Off Weapon. 
 
Other features include incorporation of configuration changes needed to make B-2s conform to the approved radar signature; replacement of the aft decks; installation of remaining defensive avionics functions; and installation of a contrail management system.
 
Striking Features
The B-2 is the most expensive aircraft in the world, with a price of more than US$1 billion per plane.
 
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. 
 
The B-2’s low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for the sophisticated defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2. Many aspects of the low-observability process remain classified; however, the B-2’s composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design all contribute to its stealthiness.
 
The B-2 has a crew of two pilots, a pilot in the left seat and mission commander in the right, compared to the B-1B’s crew of four and the B-52’s crew of five.
 
Continuing Enhancements
Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force are continuing enhancements to the B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber fleet providing new capability, including its first long-range stealth missile.
 
The B-2 successfully released a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile — Extended Range (JASSM-ER) during a flight test in December. The JASSM-ER enhances the B-2’s ability to hit any target, anywhere. The integration of JASSM-ER enables the delivery of a low observable asset capable of travelling greater distances than its predecessor.
JASSM-ER is one of three new advanced capabilities being introduced to the B-2 to further modernise the platform. The B-2 fleet is also integrating crypto modernisation and a Radar Aided Targeting System (RATS). 
 
The latest system advancements are part of integrated functional capability (IFC) P6.4, which was certified in 2021 by the Air Force. RATS will complete the latest phase of nuclear modernisation of the B-2 Spirit.
 
The integration of RATS, Northrop says, allows the B-2 to fully employ the B-61 mod 12 nuclear bomb. The company adds that RATS, which is not reliant on the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS), is the key element of the nuclear modernisation because GPS may not be available during a bomber task force mission.
 
The B-2 can lay claim to several accomplishments. During its combat debut in Operation Allied Force, the stealth bomber flew less than one per cent of the total missions, yet destroyed 33 per cent of the targets in the first eight weeks of the conflict. The B-2 also set a record with a 44-hour air combat mission in 2001. 
 
As of 2022, 20 B-2s are in service with the United States Air Force. (One was destroyed in a 2008 crash.) The Air Force plans to operate them until 2032, when the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is to replace them.
 
Extensive Maintenance 
Northrop Grumman continues to upgrade and enhance the B-2’s capabilities, and service every B-2 aircraft— from the extensive programmed depot maintenance that ranges from the complete restoration of the jet’s exterior surfaces to software engineering, testing and development.
 

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