The US has chosen to expand B-2 bombers with an investment of $7 billion

The U.S. Department of Defense recently awarded Northrop Grumman a significant contract, estimated to be worth $7 billion, for the maintenance and modernization of B-2 Spirit bombers. This announcement appeared on April 2.

The Army’s provisions for this contract call for all associated maintenance and modernization tasks to be performed at various air bases. These include Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, Tinker AFB in Oklahoma, Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio, Edwards AFB in California and Hill AFB in Utah. Washington has set a deadline of early May 2029 for this contract.

While Northrop Grumman moves forward with the development of their avant-garde B-21 Raider aircraft, the military’s interest in the B-2 Spirit bombers appears to be waning. However, a significant investment of $7 billion was recently earmarked for the maintenance and modernization of the existing fleet of twenty B-2 bombers for the US Air Force. This can be seen as a clear commitment to the B-2. And for good reason: until the B-21 Raider is in service, the B-2 remains the only stealth bomber in the U.S. arsenal that can carry nuclear weapons.

Disclosure of the upgrade

The Defense Department statement does not explicitly state what upgrades Northrop Grumman engineers plan to implement on the B-2. The B-2 is known for its operational challenges and is expected to undergo a transformation to increase its maintainability, improve flight performance and increase lethality. The ultimate goal is to achieve compatibility with the upcoming B-21.

Insider sources reveal that the B-2 upgrade will focus on two crucial areas: stealth functionality and mission planning software. The existing panels on the B-2 that require opening are only accessible after removing the stealth coating, as admitted by the US military. Once the job is completed, the stealth coating will need to be reapplied. This painstaking recoating procedure, while precise, affects the bomber’s form and function.

As for the mission planning software, Northrop Grumman has already developed a version built specifically for the next generation bomber: the B-21 Raider. To establish future compatibility between the B-2 and the B-21, this specific software will be installed in the Spirit. This specific software is separate from the B-2’s flight control software, allowing new applications to be tested and deployed more quickly.

According to experts, the implementation of B-21-based software in the B-2 system would be beneficial to the US Air Force. This integration will significantly speed up the process, as there is no need to wait for the production of several B-21 prototypes, and the software can be tested in an operational air bomber.

B-2 will fly for a long time

In 2023, US defense industry insiders revealed Northrop Grumman’s ambitious plans to improve the B-2’s stealth capabilities and software. But that’s not where the story ends. The aerospace giant also plans to strengthen the bomber’s survivability and support systems. “The goal is to keep the B-2 not only ready for action, but also relevant to the evolving nature of warfare,” said Niki Kodama, head of Northrop’s 2023 B-2 program, speaking to FlightGlobal. While specific details remain under wraps, Kodama hinted that some of the USAF’s latest long-range precision weapons will be integrated into the B-2.

The selected deadline of 2029 for the modernization of the B-2 shows that the US Air Force is far from saying goodbye to these twenty bombers. On the contrary, the B-2 is expected to remain an active stealth bomber fleet for many years to come. This status quo will likely continue until the long-awaited B-21 is mass-produced and becomes fully operational, feats that, as we all know, can take quite some time.

An air defense nightmare

The B-2 Spirit serves as a critical asset in the U.S. Air Force inventory. Known for its low-observable stealth technology, this formidable heavy strategic bomber is expertly designed to infiltrate and penetrate the most secure anti-aircraft defenses. In simple terms, it is a two-crew flying wing design that can demonstrate significant power.

In the air, the B-2 Spirit is a real colossus. With an impressive wingspan of 52.4 meters and a length of 21 meters, its size cannot be denied. With an imposing height of 5.18 meters and a colossal wing area of ​​478 square meters, its ability to carry substantial payloads is unequivocal.

The heart of the B-2 system is powered by four powerful General Electric F118-GE-100 engines. These engines individually contribute 17,300 pounds of thrust, allowing the B-2 to reach impressive speeds of up to 680 miles per hour (1,100 kilometers per hour), or Mach 0.95. This powerful aircraft functions optimally at an impressive altitude of up to 50,000 feet (15,200 meters).

40,000 pounds worth of weapons

The B-2 bomber has an impressive carrying capacity and can house up to 18,144 kilograms of weapons. It is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons, making it a real powerhouse. With two spacious internal bays, the B-2 happily accommodates a range of wargear, from gravity bombs to precision-guided munitions and even cruise missiles.

One of the most stunning features of the B-2 is its impressive operational range. With a distance of no less than 6,000 nautical miles (11,112 kilometers) on internal fuel alone, it doesn’t stop there. With just one refueling in the air, it extends its range to more than 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 kilometers). This long range means it is ready to carry out strategic bombardment missions that require longer durations.

What really sets the B-2 apart is its stealth capabilities. In addition to its distinctive ‘flying wing’ design, the B-2 is equipped with radar-absorbent materials, making it difficult to spot on radar. It also does an excellent job of reducing the heat signature, keeping it well hidden from infrared tracking systems. Because of its low-detection or stealth capabilities, the B-2 boldly ventures into enemy territory, penetrating even the most advanced defenses and posing a credible threat to heavily guarded targets.

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