Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit

[TomS]

That was 20 years ago. Whatever they were concealing at the time, the fact that there are newer photos of the exhaust area suggest it's not as sensitive anymore.

The F-117 had similar restrictions early in its airshow career, but they were lifted later on, IIRC.

 

[flateric]

Exhaust pipes, for example. Another technical marvel hidden in its personal bays. Rear end of complicated secondary air flow system labyrinth. etc.
Note interesting caption for B-2 photo on article first page, BTW.

 

[Stargazer2006]

The F-117 had similar restrictions early in its airshow career, but they were lifted later on, IIRC.

Correct. I managed to get right behind the F-117A at the 1991 Paris Air Show, climb on a barrier for a bit of elevation and take a couple of rear end pics, but I knew it was risky business... I took advantage of the imminent closing of the gates when the aircraft were no longer attended... The photos have remained in my album to this date.

 

[Mat Parry]

That was 20 years ago. Whatever they were concealing at the time, the fact that there are newer photos of the exhaust area suggest it's not as sensitive anymore.

I understand that the exhaust area is still somewhat sight sensitive.
You are correct that photos from the rear quarter exist (see flateric's finds on the discussion I previously linked) those photos however, don't show anything of note, just black holes upstream of the trenches.
I would imagine what is/was being concealed is further up the exhaust system

Exhaust pipes, for example. Another technical marvel hidden in its personal bays. Rear end of complicated secondary air flow system labyrinth. etc.

FWIW my assumption is there is some kind of baffles / labyrinthe mixing system to mix hot exhaust with cooler air.
I do understand that just because something is secret does not mean it is revolutionary (for example, B-52's swiveling landing gear http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/this-video-shows-that-you-dont-fly-a-b-52-you-wrestle-i-1678846593)

 

[Mr London 24/7]

Pilot Report: Aviation Week Flies The Northrop Grumman B-2 (1995) | From The Archives

"During our two-day stay at the Missouri air base, the personnel of the 509th Bomb Wing gave us excellent access. We were able to survey the aircraft close up, except for the engine exhaust area".

This is something we've heard elsewhere, I wonder what is being concealed? At first glance, there are no obvious clues here:
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,877.msg116813.html#msg116813

Not the exhausts per se, but the rear deck area for deployable antennae or other retractable systems I thought?....

 

[blackkite]

Hi!

 

[flateric]

While it looks cool, it's VERY inaccurate

 

[flateric]

Not the exhausts per se, but the rear deck area for deployable antennae or other retractable systems I thought?....

DMS retractable antenna doors (top and bottom ones) are in the other places.

 

[Flyaway]

I've read elsewhere that no photo is allowed to be taken within twenty five feet of the rear of the B-2 when it's on the ground. Is this still true and has it ever been true?

 

[famvburg]

I would think with the correct lens, 25' wouldn't matter.

 

[circle-5]

This clip shows the precise fit of the rotating in-flight fuel receptacle. Neat-O.
This video shows the precise fit of the rotating in-flight fuel receptacle. Neat-O.


https://youtu.be/77G8NZv4kY8

 

[bobbymike]

http://teamafrl.afciviliancareers.com/sites/default/files/documents2/TM_CompositeMaterialSkins_RX-10-34_08-03.pdf

 

[sublight is back]

http://teamafrl.afciviliancareers.com/sites/default/files/documents2/TM_CompositeMaterialSkins_RX-10-34_08-03.pdf

Back in 2010....
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123229059

 

[Flyaway]

Air Force Upgrades Weapons, Radios for B-2 Stealth Bomber.

http://defensetech.org/2015/05/14/air-force-upgrades-weapons-communications-for-b-2-stealth-bomber/

 

[bobbymike]

Nice picture

 

[flateric]

photo by Chad Slattery

 

[GeorgeA]

Rose Bowl flyover 1/1/16 from above.

http://theaviationist.com/2016/01/04/b-2-flyover-aerial-photography/

 

[sferrin]

photo by Chad Slattery

He has quite a few interesting photos. (For example the X-42 I put in another thread.)

 

[bring_it_on]

This B-2 shot from him is amazing ..

http://www.chadslattery.com/In-the-Air/1

 

[VTOLicious]

photo by Chad Slattery

He has quite a few interesting photos. (For example the X-42 I put in another thread.)

Indeed! http://www.chadslattery.com/Personal-Work/4

...and the corresponding article at Air&Space:
http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/secrets-skunk-works-180952122/?no-ist

 

[NeilChapman]

Initially, there was no low level penetration requirement, but it was added during development, necessitating major structural and aerodynamic changes.

I believe the low level capability was added "just in case".

Seems I read that low level was added with the collapse of the SU.

 

[flateric]

BS

 

[NeilChapman]

BS

That would make sense because the decision was made in the 80's. So why was the mission profile changed?

 

[TomS]

At a guess, widespread deployment of SA-10.

 

[quellish]

That would make sense because the decision was made in the 80's. So why was the mission profile changed?

The evaluation of the contractors’ proposals proceeded on site at the contractors’ facilities throughout December 1980, through January and into February 1981. The Source Selection Advisory Council (SSAC) received regular briefings on the progress of the evaluation and the outcome of the ongoing survivability assessment. The SSAC concluded that growth provisions for low altitude capability would be a prudent hedge against an ever-changing and maturing radar threat operational throughout the Soviet Union. Accordingly, a Modification Request to the RFP was issued in April 1981 to request a study for the impact on the design to include a significant low altitude penetration capability, beyond the fallout capability from the high altitude designs.

 

[NeilChapman]

That would make sense because the decision was made in the 80's. So why was the mission profile changed?

The evaluation of the contractors’ proposals proceeded on site at the contractors’ facilities throughout December 1980, through January and into February 1981. The Source Selection Advisory Council (SSAC) received regular briefings on the progress of the evaluation and the outcome of the ongoing survivability assessment. The SSAC concluded that growth provisions for low altitude capability would be a prudent hedge against an ever-changing and maturing radar threat operational throughout the Soviet Union. Accordingly, a Modification Request to the RFP was issued in April 1981 to request a study for the impact on the design to include a significant low altitude penetration capability, beyond the fallout capability from the high altitude designs.

Thank you TomS -

Thank you quellish -

 

[LowObservable]

The Culinary Institute may have been involved.

http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-NOTAM-230408-1.html

55Zh6 was developed in the 1980s, with the designer getting a State prize in 1987.

 

[bobbymike]

Air Force seeks new-start authority to arm B-2 with long-range, stealthy cruise missile

The Air Force is asking Congress for funds to arm the B-2 stealth bomber with a long-range variant of the service's supersonic, stealthy cruise missile -- pairing two of the U.S. military's most advanced offensive capabilities to give policy makers the option to attack high-value targets during the early stages of a campaign.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry if I missed the story there's a 'supersonic' stealthy cruise missile out there? Something has been built from those Mach 3 turbines?

 

[John21]

Wasn't the stealthy AGM-129 ACM(Advanced Cruise Missile) retired years ago? Would having a classified non-acknowledged super-sonic nuclear cruise missile in service be a violation of START/START II?

 

[Steve Pace]

Wasn't the stealthy AGM-129 ACM(Advanced Cruise Missile) retired years ago? Would having a classified non-acknowledged super-sonic nuclear cruise missile in service be a violation of START/START II?

Yes it's gone but not the brand new AGM-158C. -SP

 

[Ian33]

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/northrop-grumman-outlines-b-2-bomber-enhancements-as-usaf-reveals-plan-to-also-boost-strike-fleet-210887/


I've kept this link for years, because of the little part about using the B2 as a stealthy stand off recon asset.

 

[quellish]

Air Force seeks new-start authority to arm B-2 with long-range, stealthy cruise missile

The Air Force is asking Congress for funds to arm the B-2 stealth bomber with a long-range variant of the service's supersonic, stealthy cruise missile -- pairing two of the U.S. military's most advanced offensive capabilities to give policy makers the option to attack high-value targets during the early stages of a campaign.

As usual, this is a case of the press screwing things up.

The program in question is 0101127F part of 675345 (B-2 modernization) - B-2 JASSM-ER Integration.

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/revealed-flying-americas-mighty-b-2-stealth-bomber-15935

 

[Colonial-Marine]

That would make sense because the decision was made in the 80's. So why was the mission profile changed?

Wasn't the DoD really pushing the idea that the B-2 would be hunting Soviet mobile ICBM launchers?

 

[quellish]

Wasn't the DoD really pushing the idea that the B-2 would be hunting Soviet mobile ICBM launchers?

That is the mission the B-2 was designed for, yes.

 

[bobbymike]

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/americas-b-2-stealth-bomber-ready-war-until-2050-beyond-16309

 

[Johnbr]

This said to come from a b-2 base.

 

[bobbymike]

https://www.airforcetimes.com/articles/air-force-b-2-bombers-strike-isis-camps-in-libya?utm_content=buffer9bf6a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Now that this article is out I wonder if we are soon to read "Russian General Says We Detected B-2 Bomber Operating in Syria"

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a25070/to-libya-and-back-inside-obamas-last-strike-against-isis/

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.scout.com/military/warrior/story/1757423-new-b-2-computer-processor-1-000-fold-better