The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is a heavy penetration strategic bomber, featuring low-observable stealth technology designed for penetrating dense, anti-aircraft defenses.
The Spirit is capable of all-altitude attack missions, with a range of more than 10,000 nautical miles with only one mid-air refueling.
One of the most controversial projects because of its mammoth per aircraft price tag, the Stealth Bomber averaged $737 million per aircraft in 1997 and has a total program cost of $44.75 billion as of 2004; it made its debut in the late part of the 20th century.
B-2 Strategic Bomber
Today, the B-2 Spirit is part of the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, under the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, which currently has 19 out of the 20 B-2s in active service.
The other B-2 is part of the U.S. Air Force Test Wing, under the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
These images of the highly secretive aircraft were taken during Exercise Neptune Falcon performed at Whiteman Air Force Base.
B-2 Bomber
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