Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit ||

A B-2 Spirit bomber is prepared for a morning mission at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. The aircraft is from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

A B-2 Spirit flies June 4, 2011, above Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., during the 2011 Dakota Thunder air show. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Nathan Gallahan)

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE Mo. 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, maintainers and crew chiefs, prepare B-2 Stealth Bombers for Operation Odyssey Dawn March 19, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston)(Released)

An aircrew flies a B-2 Spirit over the airfield as part of an aerial demonstration for the 2010 Airpower Over the Midwest Air Show Sept. 11, 2010, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The B-2 is assigned to Whiteman AFB, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Crew chiefs with the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare a B-2 Spirit for flight Aug. 24, 2009, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The B-2's primary mission is to attack time-critical targets early in a conflict to minimize an enemy's warfighting potential. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior

Air Force Global Strike Command officials assumed responsibility for the Air Force's nuclear-capable bomber force, including the B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit shown here, Feb. 1, 2010. This action completes the step-by-step transfer of all Air Force long-range, nuclear-capable assets to the Air Force's newest major command. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Airmen 1st Class Patrick Holter (left) and Patrick Dixon start the high-five salute as they prepare to launch the first B-2 Spirit of the day Sept. 8, 2009, on the Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., flightline. The Airmen are crew chiefs with the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and work around the clock to stay prepared for real world missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kenny Holston)

A B-2 Spirit taxis down the flightline at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Aug. 22. Twenty B-2 bombers are assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing. 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/Senior Airman Kenny Holston)

Two F-22 Raptors and a B-2 Spirit bomber deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean. The deployment to Andersen marks the first time F-22s and B-2s, the key strategic stealth assets in the Air Force inventory, deployed together outside the continental United States. (U.S Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

A B-2 Spirit is towed to a parking spot Feb. 12 at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The B-2, from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., is one of four bombers currently deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)

A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a B-2 Spirit Nov. 20 over the Pacific Ocean. The B-2 and KC-135 are deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to support U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence and theater security package operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian Kimball)

A B-2 Spirit II flies over the Air Force Memorial during a practice flight over the Oct. 13 in Arlington, Va. The memorial dedication ceremony will be held Oct. 14. An Air Force open house will be held near the Pentagon in conjunction with the dedication ceremony that will feature performances by the U.S. Air Force Band, the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard drill team, and a concert by country music performer LeeAnn Womack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Gary R. Coppage)

Two B-2 Spirit bombers and four F-15E Strike Eagles are parked inside Hangar 1 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Aug. 6. The aircraft were moved into the hangar in preparation for a tropical storm that was expected to reach Guam that day. This was the first time the six aircraft had been parked in the hangar, proving to base officials that the hangar could accommodate the aircraft, and aiding in future tropical storm and typhoon planning. The two bombers are deployed to the 13th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo. The fighters are deployed to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Tech. Sgt. Mikal Canfield)

General Ronald E. Keys, Air Combat Command commander, said the Air Force is looking to get a next-generation long-range bomber by 2018. The command is funded for a new bomber, he said during his presentation Sept. 26 at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington D.C. Meanwhile, the current bomber fleet, including this B-2 Spirit, flying over the St. Louis Arch, will continue to be a mainstay in the war on terrorism. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle)

A B-2 Spirit and 16 other aircraft from the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps fly over the USS Kitty Hawk, USS Ronald Reagan and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups in the western Pacific Ocean on Sunday, June 18, to kick off Exercise Valiant Shield 2006. (U.S. Navy photo/Chief Photographer's Mate Todd P. Cichonowicz)

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)

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk

NEW MEXICO -- The F-117A Nighthawk Stealth fighter from the 49th Fighter Wing, 9th Fighter Squadron "Iron Knights," from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Flies a training mission over the New Mexico desert. The F-117 is the world's first operational aircraft designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology. The unique design of the single-seat F-117A provides exceptional combat capabilities. Air refuelable, it supports worldwide commitments and adds to the deterrent strength of the U.S. military forces. The F-117A can employ a variety of weapons and is equipped with sophisticated navigation and attack systems integrated into a state-of-the-art digital avionics suite that increases mission effectiveness and reduces pilot workload. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Andy Dunaway)

Two specially painted Stars and Banners F-117 Nighthawks fly on one of their last missions. The F-117s were retired March 11 in a farewell ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Kim Frey)

An F-117 Nighthawk taxis into position during the F-117 Nighthawk farewell ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, March 11. The ceremony consisted of mulitple guest speakers, a piece by the Air Force Band of Flight and concluded with a single ship flyover. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Joshua Strang)

A B-2 Spirit bomber is followed by two F-117 Nighthawks during a mission. The B-2 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)

 A 37th Tactical Fighter Wing F-117A stealth fighter aircraft refuels from a 22nd Air Refueling Wing KC-10 Extender aircraft during Operation Desert Shield. The F-117A is en route to Saudi Arabia.

An F-117A aircraft from the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing (37th TFW) moves in for a midair refueling during Operation Desert Shield.

F-117A Stealth fighter aircraft from the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tonopah Test Range, Nev., line the runway after arriving for an overnight stay while deploying to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield.

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Staff Sgt. Robin Walker (left) and Staff Sgt. Greg Slavik prepare an F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter to launch from here. Aircraft, aircrews, maintainers and support Airmen from around the globe are here during March to participate in Red Flag, an Air Force exercise that tests warfightering skills in real-time combat situations. This is the Department of Defense's first Joint Red Flag exercise, in which more than 10,000 servicemembers from all four military branches, along with troops of some coalition forces, will train in an effort to develop improved joint training and experimentation capabilities. Sergeants Walker and Slavik are crew chiefs assigned to the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

Twenty-five F-117 Nighthawks are lined up for take off from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The planes were part of a formation celebrating the Nighthawk's 25th anniversary and 250,000 flying hour here. The 25 planes were separated into 5 groups and flew over the base to close the celebration ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian Ferguson)

Capt. Heath Armstrong (front) and 2nd Lt. Scott Panzer watch as a formation of F-117 Nighthawks pass overhead. The formation was part of the Nighthawk's 25th anniversary and 250,000 flying-hour celebration at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The formation consisted of 25 planes staggered into five separate groups. Captain Armstrong and Lieutenant Panzer are part of the 49th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian Ferguson)