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Northrop B-2 Spirit

Northrop Grumman · Bomber · USA · Modern (1992–2009)

Northrop B-2 Spirit — Bomber
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The Northrop B-2 Spirit is the United States Air Force's flying-wing strategic stealth bomber and, at roughly $2.1 billion per aircraft (in then-year dollars including R&D), one of the most expensive military aircraft ever built. Designed by Northrop (now Northrop Grumman) under the Advanced Technology Bomber programme begun in 1979, the B-2 first flew in July 1989 and entered USAF service in 1997. Just 21 aircraft were built — far short of the original 132-aircraft plan — after the Cold War's end made the eye-watering unit cost politically untenable. The fleet is concentrated at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, with the 509th Bomb Wing.

The B-2's defining feature is its flying-wing planform with no vertical tail surfaces — a design that minimises radar cross-section by eliminating the right-angle reflectors a conventional fuselage and tail produce. Trailing-edge split rudders and computerised fly-by-wire flight controls compensate for the lack of natural directional stability. Combined with radar-absorbent skin coatings and an internally-buried twin-engine inlet system, the B-2 has a radar cross-section reportedly comparable to a small bird, despite a 172-foot wingspan. The aircraft can carry up to 40,000 lbs of internal weapons, including up to 16 B61 nuclear bombs or 80 500-lb GBU-38 JDAMs.

Operationally, the B-2 has flown combat missions in Kosovo (1999), Afghanistan (2001), Iraq (2003 and 2017), Libya (2011), Yemen (2017), and against Iranian nuclear infrastructure (2025). Most missions are launched directly from Whiteman, often as 30+-hour round-trip sorties — among the longest-duration combat missions ever flown. One B-2 (Spirit of Kansas) was lost on take-off from Andersen AFB, Guam in 2008 after moisture in air-data sensors fed the flight computer false information; both crew survived. As of 2026, the fleet stands at 19 aircraft pending the introduction of the B-21 Raider, which began low-rate production in 2024 and will replace both the B-2 and the older B-52.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The B-2 Spirit is the most expensive airplane ever built. Each one costs about $2 billion — more than the cost of an entire aircraft carrier! It looks like a giant flying triangle, like a paper airplane your big brother might fold. It has no tail and no real fuselage — it's basically all wing.

The B-2 is called a stealth bomber because it is very hard for enemy radar to see. Its smooth body, special paint, and triangle shape bounce radar waves away instead of back. On enemy radar screens, the B-2 looks no bigger than a small bird, even though it is huge — over 170 feet wide, wider than a basketball court.

Only 21 B-2s were ever built between 1987 and 2000. The U.S. Air Force flies them from a single base in Missouri. The B-2 can fly nonstop for about 6,000 miles.

With air-to-air refueling, it has flown 44 hours straight, carrying bombs all the way to Afghanistan and back.

The B-2 needs a special air-conditioned hangar to stay cool, because its stealth paint melts in the rain or hot sun. Pilots fly the B-2 in pairs, with one resting in the back while the other flies. Some pilots even bring a small cot for naps on the long missions.

Fun Facts

  • The B-2's wingspan is wider than a basketball court (172 feet across).
  • Each B-2 cost about $2 billion to build — more than the price of 5,000 average houses.
  • On radar, the giant B-2 looks no bigger than a hummingbird.
  • B-2 pilots have flown 44 hours straight on long missions, taking naps in the back of the cockpit.
  • Only 21 B-2s were ever built — and one was destroyed in a takeoff crash in 2008.
  • The B-2's special stealth paint must be touched up after every flight.
  • Each B-2 is named after a U.S. state — like the Spirit of Missouri or Spirit of California.

Kids’ Questions

Why is the B-2 shaped like a triangle?

The B-2's flying-wing shape (no tail, no separate fuselage) does two important jobs at once. First, the smooth flat shape makes radar waves bounce sideways instead of straight back, so enemy radars can't easily see the plane. Second, the wing produces lots of lift for its weight, so the B-2 can fly very far on one tank of fuel. The downside is that flying-wings are tricky to control without a tail — the B-2 has a powerful computer that helps the pilot keep it stable.

Is the B-2 still the best stealth bomber?

For 35 years it has been. Northrop Grumman is building a new stealth bomber called the B-21 Raider, which is smaller and cheaper. The B-21 first flew in 2023 and is expected to enter service around 2027. Over time, the new B-21s will replace the B-2 Spirits. But for now, the B-2 is still the only fully stealthy heavy bomber flying anywhere in the world.

Variants

B-2A Block 10
Initial production standard, limited to conventional weapons. Six aircraft delivered before being upgraded to Block 30.
B-2A Block 20
Added GATS/GAM precision weapons and limited terrain-following. All upgraded to Block 30.
B-2A Block 30
Final production standard with full nuclear and conventional capability, JDAM, JASSM, B61-12. Current operational standard for the entire fleet.

Notable Operators

United States Air Force (sole operator)
509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. The only B-2 operational unit; 131st Bomb Wing (Missouri Air National Guard) provides associate aircrews.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a B-2 Spirit cost?

The B-2 cost approximately $2.1 billion per aircraft in then-year dollars, including the share of programme R&D amortised across 21 production aircraft. The flyaway-only cost was about $737 million. Operating costs run roughly $135,000 per flight hour.

How many B-2 Spirits were built?

21 B-2 Spirits were built. One (Spirit of Kansas, AV-12) was lost on take-off from Guam in 2008, leaving 20 in service; in late 2022 another (Spirit of Georgia) was placed in long-term storage after a runway incident at Whiteman, leaving 19 active aircraft as of 2026.

Why does the B-2 have no tail?

The flying-wing planform without a vertical tail eliminates the right-angle reflective surfaces that boost radar cross-section on conventional aircraft. Computer-controlled split rudders on the trailing edge provide directional control electronically, replacing the function of a vertical fin.

B-2 vs B-21: what's the difference?

The B-21 Raider is a smaller, more affordable, more easily-maintained sixth-generation flying-wing stealth bomber being built to replace both the B-2 and B-1. The USAF plans for at least 100 B-21s, compared to just 21 B-2s, and the B-21's per-airframe cost target is around $750 million in 2024 dollars — substantially less than the B-2.

When will the B-2 retire?

The USAF plans to retire the B-2 fleet through the late 2030s as the B-21 Raider enters service. Final retirement is currently scheduled for around 2040.

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