B-2 Spirit
Introduction
The flying wing design is an American bomber with a crew of two. Military aircraft designers learned that there was a new way to keep away from missiles. The idea was to build an aircraft that could stop radar signals. The total cost of the B-2 Spirit was $2.1 billion dollars per aircraft in 1997.
What is it known for?
In order to make the B-2 Spirit more effective many advanced systems were involved in its design. The B-2 is the only aircraft that can carry large air to surface weapons. It was responsible for destroying 33% bombing targets in the first eight weeks. It went into service on 1997 as the second aircraft to have advanced technology.
First Flight
Being introduced on April 1997 the first flight of the aircraft was on 17 July 1989. As of September 2013 about 80 pilots flew the B-2. A number of upgrades have been added to the B-2. Each aircraft has a pilot in the left seat and mission commander in the right.
Features
The B-2 is a flying wing aircraft meaning it has no main body or tail. Most of the B-2 Spirit is made out of carbon graphite. In this aircraft only one crew member can sleep in a camp bed, use a toilet, or prepare a hot meal. It has supply for a third crew member if needed.
Conclusion
President George Bush announced that there would only be 20 B-2 aircraft's allowed to be built. A total of 20 B-2's remain in service with the United States Air Force. There have been no examples of a missile being launched at a B-2.
