Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit

[Josh_TN]

I notice that document does explicitly list GBU-39 as integrated on the B-2; pertinent to is it integrated/is current only planned to be integrated discussion.

Sure, but contra that:

GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb Weapon System

The GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb, or SDB, is an extended range all-weather, day or night 250-pound class, guided munition. The SDB relies on the Global Positioning System to provide navigation to the

www.af.mil

The F-15E Strike Eagle is currently the only aircraft outfitted with the SDB weapon system. Future platforms include the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-117, B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

Now, that's at least somewhat out of date (F-22 and F-35 have been cleared, I think), but it's not resounding endorsement of the idea that the B-2 can carry SDB-I.

And after some digging around on Twitter, I found a ref that sounds like he knows what he's talking about. (Usual caveats for Twitter reliability, etc. But poking at his blog, he mentions having worked on the B-2's Smart Bomb Rack and JDAM integration for the RLA, so I suspect he's legit.)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1511547774361341953

View: https://twitter.com/SMSgt_Mac/status/1511547774361341953

Depressing if true, and it sounds like something USAF would do.

 

[La-Fuente Technologies]

This increase in mishaps is becoming particularly worrying...

B-2 Stealth Bomber Damaged During Emergency Landing​

by Tyler Rogoway
Dec 10, 2022 9:18 PM

A B-2A Spirit stealth bomber experienced an in-flight emergency that resulting in an emergency landing that sparked a fire and damaged the aircraft. The incident occurred at Whiteman AFB in Missouri, where the fleet of just 20 B-2s in existence is primarily based.

The War Zone reached out to the 509th Bomb Wing public affairs for comment and they promptly responded with this description of the event:

"A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit experienced an in-flight malfunction during routine operations today and was damaged on the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base after it successfully completed an emergency landing. There were no personnel injuries. There was a fire associated with the aircraft after landing, and the base fire department extinguished the fire. The incident is under investigation."

B-2 Stealth Bomber Damaged During Emergency Landing

A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber was damaged at Whiteman AFB after an emergency landing, which included a fire.

www.thedrive.com

Was fiddling around Whitman AFB in Google Maps, looking for B-2s when I saw this. After looking it up, that's definitely the Bomber in question.

Image is dated 2023

 

[aonestudio]

B-2 'Safety Pause' Lifted, Flights Set to Resume Within Days

The B-2 Spirit is returning to the skies, USAF officials said. The aircraft is projected to take off May 22 after a safety pause was lifted.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[aonestudio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1660772012346802179

View: https://twitter.com/AFGlobalStrike/status/1660772012346802179

 

[flateric]

An old story (that some not heard) of flying wings, flies and professors.

 

[aonestudio]

Northrop Grumman’s B-2 Capabilities Enhance its Digital Communications

PALMDALE, Calif. – Aug. 9, 2023 – Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, successfully completed an integrated airborne mission transfer (IAMT) demonstration with the B-2 Spirit at Whiteman Air Force Base as part of the...

news.northropgrumman.com

 

[BlackBat242]

An old story (that some not heard) of flying wings, flies and professors.

Yes... and considering that the article was written before the B-2 even started its flight testing, the actual performance of the B-2 is much more compelling and pertinent than arguments over reports that may have been botched back in the late 1940s.

Resolution of the Foa-Sears debate awaits
the B-2 flight test program, which has yet to
record its first hop, though the bomber was
rolled out last November.

Rollout was Nov. 1988.
First public flight was July 1989.

 

[TomcatViP]

MagRAM to replace RAM coating tapes. New flight planning mission software (shared with B-21):

Northrop plans wide-ranging B-2 upgrades, including new anti-radar coating by year-end

The manufacturer of the iconic flying wing stealth bomber is undertaking a series of modernisations that will make the notoriously difficult-to-maintain B-2 easier to keep flightworthy, more lethal and compatible with the next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber.

www.flightglobal.com

 

[Bounce]

Would love to see a lighter coloured B-2.

 

[sferrin]