Though nuclear war is less likely as the 1990's are entered, the United States must remain on guard
and current in terms of technology. The B-2 enables the Air Force to provide the strategic force required
should war come.
The B-2 can conduct strategic nuclear and conventional missions of all kinds, anywhere, with near
certain survivability. B-2s provide greater range and payload than B-52s and B-1Bs and embody the
latest generation of stealth. With advanced stealth, B-2s travel alone, without the armada of protective
and supoorting aircraft and logistics that todays' bombers and fighters need.
More than 4,000 companies contribute materials and services to the Northrop B-2 effort. These firms
are spread across all of America and constitute a manpower base of tens of thousands of skilled people.
Much of the B-2 technical story is classified. It is a highly important program and one which we will
hear more about as time moves on. The airplane is beautiful in flight. Its sleek shape and surface is
covered with a menacing gray paint scheme. It is truly revolutionary.
Specifications :
Wingspan : 172 feet (52.43 m)
Overall Length : 69 feet (21.03 m)
Height : 17 feet (5.18 m)
Gross Weight : 350,000 lbs plus (158,760 kg +)
Payload : 40,000 lbs plus (18,144 kg +)
Unrefueled Range : 6,000 nm plus (11,400 km +)
Range with 1 refueling : 10,000 nm plus (19,000 km +)
Number of crew : 2 with room for 3rd
Powerplants : G.E. F-118-GE-100
Four, of 19,000+ lbs of thrust each
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