The first B-2 entered the Air Force's operational fleet at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., on Dec. The first B-2 rolled out of the bomber's final assembly facility in Palmdale, Calif., in November 1988 and it flew for the first time on July 17, 1989. awarded the B-2 design team the Collier Trophy for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, as demonstrated in actual use. The same year, the National Aeronautic Association of the U.S.A. At its peak in 1991, the B-2 was the largest military program at Boeing, employing about 10,000 people. The sleek structure is reminiscent of the B-35, developed by Northrop during the 1940s, and uses advanced composites, such as resin-impregnated graphite fiber, rather than metal.Īs part of an industry team led by Northrop, Boeing built the outboard portion of the B-2 stealth bomber wing, the aft center fuselage section, landing gears, fuel system and weapons delivery system. ![]() Air Force photo by Master Sgt.The B-2 stealth bomber, with its unique flying wing configuration and low-observable, radar-evading, or “stealth,” technology is a versatile multi-role bomber, capable of delivering both nuclear and conventional munitions. China’s first stealth fighter for aircraft carriers is emerging, but a big problem still weighs it downĮditor’s note: This article was originally published by Business Insider įeature image: U.S.A US Navy carrier strike group is deploying with advanced 5th-generation F-35C stealth fighter jets for the first time.A shadowy fight between Israel and Iran is at risk of becoming a bigger war.The US Navy’s top admiral admits they crammed too much new tech onto their new aircraft carrier.The UK is considering incorporating Afghan special forces evacuated from Kabul into the British army.Working with pilots in a B-2 simulator, they were able to design and test the suitable switch cover. Base personnel presented the issue to the students, and they began developing a solution. “We recognized the switch posed a certain risk of inadvertent actuation and that we should take action to minimize this risk - no matter how small.”Īnd that’s where a handful of Missouri high schoolers had the answer to this particular problem.īase leaders already had an established relationship with the school, and some of the pilots had been mentoring members of the robotics team. “The consequences could be catastrophic - especially if all four were flipped, in which case, ejection would be the only option,” Kunst told Stars and Stripes. There are a series of four switches that are of particular concern. Related: How America almost got a beefed-up F-22 bomber Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian Kimball) Keenan Kunst told Stars and Stripes.Ī KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a B-2 Spirit over the Pacific Ocean. “The B-2 Spirit cockpit is equipped with state-of-the-art, cutting-edge technology, but is a very cramped space, so something was needed to keep the pilots or other items from bumping into the switches,” Capt. ![]() Related: The most advanced bomber ever: Here’s what we know about the B-21 Raiderīut even the best technology can often be improved.Ī B-2 stealth bomber from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman made an emergency landing at an airport in Colorado Springs, Colorado, after an in-flight emergency last fall, Air Force Times reported, saying at the time that the incident was under investigation.Īpparently, the emergency was triggered by the accidental flip of a switch, among other unusual malfunctions. Navy photo by MC2 Kenneth Rodriguez Santiago) Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and two F-22 Raptors from the 199th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, fly in formation near Diamond Head State Monument, Hawaii, after completing interoperability training, Jan.
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