Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit - Stealth Bomber

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit (also known as the Stealth Bomber) is an American strategic bomber, featuring low observable stealth technology designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses; it is able to deploy bothconventional and nuclear weapons. The bomber has a crew of two and can drop up to eighty 500 lb (230 kg)-class JDAM GPS-guided bombs, or sixteen 2,400 lb (1,100 kg) B83 nuclear bombs. The B-2 is the only aircraft that can carry large air-to-surface standoff weapons in a stealth configuration.Source

OVER KANSAS -- The B-2 Spirit bomber is a revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers. Its unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles. 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." (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Olsen)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- B-2 Spirit bombers taxi down the runway in preparation for the largest insertion of bombers since the Viet Nam conflict. This flight will mark the official beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Janice Cannon)

The "Spirit of Missouri" approaches the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The B-2 bomber is returning from a combat sortie supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Francis M. Dupuis)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Airman First Class Angel Unate (left) and Senior Airman Alex Rodriquez wait to chalk the front gear of their B-2, the "Spirit of Kitty Hawk," as it taxis to final parking at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Both airmen are red flight crew chiefs of the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and will recover the bomber after it's combat mission over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Nixon)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- A B-2 Spirit, returning from a mission over Iraq, takes on fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Indian Ocean on March 27. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby)

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- A B-2 Spirit drops 32 inert Joint Direct Attack Munitions Aug. 27 at the Utah Testing and Training Range here.

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo)

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Tech. Sgt. Kevin Ponton examines the wing surface of a B-2 Spirit Bomber here Oct. 21. Ponton is a structural maintenance technician from the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. He and several other Whiteman airmen were here for a Red Flag exercise. The exercise allows combat aircrews to train in a simulated-war environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michael R. Nixon)

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- A B-2 Spirit bomber sits on the ramp here Oct 28. The bomber is from the 509th Bomb Wing from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. B-2 aircraft and people from Whiteman were participating in exercise Red Flag 04-01. Red Flags are war exercises that allow combat aircrews training in the most realistic simulated war environment possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michael R. Nixon)

OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- A B-2 Spirit bomber refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker here during a deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The bomber deployed as part of a rotation that has provided U.S. Pacific Command officials a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing regional security and the U.S. commitment to the Western Pacific. The Spirit is from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo. The Stratotanker is assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- A B-2 Spirit and F-15E Strike Eagles fly in formation across the Pacific Ocean. The deployed fighters and bomber represent Pacific Air Force's projection of Global Strike and resolve for U.S. allies in the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- A B-2 Spirit soars through the sky after a refueling mission here May 2. The B-2 is assigned to the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The bomber is currently deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, as part of a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)