B-2 Spirit History

The B-2 Spirit, developed by Northrop Grumman, is a stealth bomber designed to penetrate advanced air defenses and deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads with unparalleled precision. Its distinctive flying-wing design, coated with radar-absorbing materials, gives it a radar cross-section the size of a small bird, making it nearly invisible to enemy radar. Powered by four General Electric F118 engines, the B-2 can fly over 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, and with in-flight refueling, it can reach any target globally. Capable of carrying up to 40,000 pounds of ordnance, including the massive 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), the B-2 is the only aircraft in the U.S. arsenal able to deploy such heavy bunker-busting munitions. Its advanced avionics and high-resolution radar allow for precise targeting, even in contested environments, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of U.S. strategic deterrence.

Development of the B-2 began in the late 1970s under the Advanced Technology Bomber program, driven by the need for a stealth aircraft to counter Soviet air defenses during the Cold War. The program, shrouded in secrecy, faced significant challenges due to its cutting-edge technology and escalating costs, with each of the 21 aircraft costing approximately $2.1 billion. First flown in 1989 and operational by 1997, the B-2 was a triumph of engineering, integrating low-observable technology with long-range capabilities. Despite its high cost and limited production run—reduced from an initial plan of 132 aircraft due to budget constraints and the end of the Cold War—the B-2 proved its worth in conflicts like Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where its stealth and precision strikes disrupted enemy operations with minimal detection. The aircraft’s development also paved the way for future stealth platforms like the B-21 Raider.

In military operations, the B-2 has been a game-changer, most recently demonstrated in Operation Midnight Hammer on June 21, 2025, when seven B-2s from Whiteman Air Force Base struck Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The mission, the largest B-2 operational strike in history, involved a 37-hour round-trip flight, multiple in-flight refuelings, and the first combat use of 14 GBU-57 MOPs, which devastated deeply buried targets. Deception tactics, including decoy B-2s sent toward Guam, ensured the strike package entered Iranian airspace undetected, with no enemy fighters or surface-to-air missiles engaging the aircraft. Supported by over 125 aircraft, including F-22s, F-35s, and a submarine launching Tomahawk missiles, the operation showcased the B-2’s unmatched ability to deliver decisive blows against high-value targets, reinforcing its critical role in modern warfare.