Page 2 - Aerotech News and Review, Oct. 18, 2019

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Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Thomas Barley torials to Stuart A. Ibberson, editor,
A B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., taxis down a runway at RAF Fairford, United 220 E. Ave. K-4, # 7, Lancaster
Kingdom, Sept. 11, 2019. Three B-2 bombers, Airmen and support equipment from Whiteman AFB deployed to RAF Fairford as part of Bomber Task CA 93535
Force Europe. These multinational missions strengthen professional relationships and improve overall coordination with allies and partner militaries.
Web Site
B-2 Spirit bomber at www.aerotechnews.com
Access the Aerotech News web site
Submissions for upcoming events,
The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both con- B-2 completed its first-ever combat deployment in support of Operation air shows and museums should be ad-
ventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, Iraqi Freedom, flying 22 sorties from a forward operating location as well dressed to Web Updates, 220 E. Ave.
the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber moderniza- as 27 sorties from Whiteman AFB, releasing more than 1.5 million pounds K-4, # 7, Lancaster CA 93535
tion program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, of munitions. The aircraft received full operational capability status in For questions concerning the web site,
anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. December 2003. On Feb. 1, 2009, the Air Force’s newest command, Air contact the webmaster at webmaster@
aerotechnews.com.
The B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent Force Global Strike Command, assumed responsibility for the B-2 from
in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or “stealth,” characteristics give Air Combat Command.
it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy’s most sophisticated defenses The prime contractor, responsible for overall system design and integra- Where you can get
and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets. Its capability to tion, is Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems Sector. Boeing Military Aerotech News and Review
penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provides a strong, Airplanes Co., Hughes Radar Systems Group, General Electric Aircraft
effective deterrent and combat force well into the 21st century. Engine Group and Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc., are key members of For information on Aerotech
The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high the aircraft contractor team. distribution, call (661) 945-5634
aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advan- or e-mail delivery@aerotechnews.com.
dom of action at high altitudes, thus increasing its range and a better field General characteristics
tages over existing bombers. Its low-observability provides it greater free-
of view for the aircraft’s sensors. Its unrefueled range is approximately
6,000 nautical miles. Primary function: multi-role heavy bomber Aerotech News and Review is published
The B-2s low observability is derived from a combination of reduced Contractor: Northrop Grumman and Contractor Team: Boeing the first and third Fridays of each
infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These sig- Military Airplanes Co., Hughes Radar Systems Group, General month, serving the aerospace and
natures make it difficult for the sophisticated defensive systems to detect, Electric Aircraft Engine Group and Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
defense industry of Southern
track and engage the B-2. Many aspects of the low-observability process Power plant: four General Electric F118-GE-100 engines California, Nevada and Arizona.
remain classified; however, the B-2’s composite materials, special coatings Thrust: 17,300 pounds each engine News and ad copy deadline is noon
and flying-wing design all contribute to its “stealthiness.” Wingspan: 172 feet
The B-2 has a crew of two pilots, a pilot in the left seat and mission Length: 69 feet on the Tuesday prior to publication.
commander in the right, compared to the B-1B’s crew of four and the B- Height: 17 feet The publisher assumes no
52s crew of five. Weight: 160,000 pounds responsibility for error in ads other
Maximum takeoff weight: 336,500 pounds than space used. Your comments are
The first B-2 was publicly displayed on Nov. 22, 1988, when it was Fuel capacity: 167,000 pounds welcomed and encouraged. Write to
rolled out of its hangar at Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, Calif. Its first flight Payload: 40,000 pounds the address below.
was July 17, 1989, when it flew from Plant 42 to Edwards Air Force Base, Speed: high subsonic
Calif. The B-2 Combined Test Force, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Range: intercontinental • Publisher .........................Paul Kinison
Air Force Base, Calif., was responsible for flight testing the engineering, Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) • Business Manager.............Lisa Kinison
manufacturing and development aircraft on the B-2. Armament: conventional or nuclear weapons • Editor ..............................Stuart Ibberson
Whiteman AFB, Mo., is the only operational base for the B-2. The first Crew: two pilots • National Advertising
aircraft, Spirit of Missouri, was delivered Dec. 17, 1993. Depot main- Unit cost: Approximately $1.157 billion (fiscal 1998 constant Manager ..........................Paul Kinison
tenance responsibility for the B-2 is performed by Air Force contractor dollars)
support and is managed at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Initial operating capability: April 1997
Tinker AFB, Okla. Aerotech News and Review
The combat effectiveness of the B-2 was first proved in 1999’s Opera- Inventory: active force: 20 (1 test); ANG: 0; Reserve: 0 220 E. Ave. K-4, #7
Lancaster, CA 93535
tion Allied Force, where it was responsible for destroying 33 percent of all e-mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
Serbian targets in the first eight weeks, by flying nonstop to Kosovo from Visit our web site at www.aerotechnews.com
its home base in Missouri and back. For a more detailed history of the B-2 Spirit bomber, visit www.
In support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, the B-2 flew one of aerotechnews.com and search for “B-2 Spirit”.
its longest missions to date from Whiteman to Afghanistan and back. The

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