More than half of the US Air Force's B-2 stealth bombers just staged a mass fly-off

0
2كيلو بايت
  • B-2 Spirit stealth bombers executed a mass fly-off earlier this week during a major exercise.

  • Photos show the bombers taking off from Whiteman Air Force Base.

  • The Air Force's B-2 bombers bring tremendous firepower blended with low-observable characteristics.

More than half of the US Air Force's B-2 stealth bombers just staged a mass fly-off.

More than half of the US Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bombers conducted a large-scale exercise earlier this week, staging a massive fly-off.

Photos show the aircraft — known for its flying wing design and ability to leverage its lower-observable, or stealth, characteristics to penetrate even sophisticated enemy defenses and unleash a devastating conventional or nuclear strike — taxiing on the runway before taking off.

A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing taxis to the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., April 15, 2024.
A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing taxis to the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., April 15, 2024.U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hailey Farrell

The B-2s were flying out of Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Monday, finishing off the annual Spirit Vigilance exercise aimed at demonstrating the base's B-2 capabilities and readiness. This year's exercise featured the largest mass fly-off of B-2s ever, with 12 of the 20 active aircraft involved. The second largest was eight aircraft in 2022.

According to the Air Force, the B-2, a two-man strategic bomber manufactured by Northrop Grumman, "brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses." It's stealth capabilities give it the ability to do what other aircraft, like the B-52 and B-1 bombers, can't.

Video footage from the recent exercise published by Whiteman Air Force Basethe only operational B-2 base, showed the B-2 bombers being prepared for takeoff before hitting the runway and flying off.

Decades after it was first fielded in the early 1990s, the B-2 remains relevant today.

The bomber first saw combat in the Kosovo War in 1999, striking Serbian targets with conventional munitions, and it has flown sorties over Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflict zones.

Its stealth capabilities, payload capacity, and potential to execute long-range strike missions make it a formidable aircraft and deterrent for US rivals. For a long time, it was the only stealth bomber in the world, but the US is making progress on a new stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, which achieved its first flight in November last year.

As a penetrating strike stealth bomber, the B-21, the US military has said, is expected to "form the backbone of the future Air Force bomber force."

A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing takes off at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., April 15, 2024.
A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing takes off at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., April 15, 2024.U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew S. Domingos

For now though, the B-2 is the go-to stealth bomber, as the aircraft is able to threaten an adversary's "most valued, and heavily defended, targets. Its capability to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provides a strong, effective deterrent and combat force well into the 21st century," the Air Force said.

إعلان مُمول
البحث
إعلان مُمول
الأقسام
إقرأ المزيد
أخرى
Future Trends in Hydrolyzed Collagen: From Supplements to Functional Foods
The hydrolyzed collagen market, valued at approximately US$ 825 million in 2018, is projected to...
بواسطة mayurgunjal20 2024-06-28 18:14:28 0 2كيلو بايت
News
Modi celebrates victory in India vote, but falls short of landslide
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political alliance won India's weeks-long general election on...
بواسطة Ikeji 2024-06-04 20:22:57 0 2كيلو بايت
أخرى
Reston’s Best Movers: Trusted Companies for Local & Long-Distance Moves
Moving is often one of the most stressful experiences in life, but with the right help, it...
بواسطة georgetownmoving 2025-07-11 11:14:00 0 927
أخرى
Is Your Practice Losing Revenue Without Even Knowing It?
Every day, physicians dedicate their time to patient care—but what about the care your...
بواسطة rapidrcmsolutions 2025-08-22 07:42:49 0 481
أخرى
Adorably Magical: Use K2 Jasper Guidance to Decode Your Destiny
Whether you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or any other mental to emotional...
بواسطة Shivani123 2024-09-28 10:28:50 0 3كيلو بايت
إعلان مُمول
google-site-verification: google037b30823fc02426.html