The B-2 Bomber is a subsonic jet-powered stealth bomber fielded by the united states air force. it has a radar cross section of 0.15in^2, about the size of a bumblebee. The B-2 Bomber is capable of carrying a wide array of advanced weapons such as the AGM-158C LRASM. The Spirit costs $1.37B dollars in 2022. The B-2 can carry conventional or nuclear weapons. It is a 3rd-generation low-observable stealth aircraft. There are 11 primary control surfaces including the gust load alleviation surface, the inboard, middle, and outboard elevons, as well as the upper and lower split rudders.[5] It was the second operational stealth airplane and the first to employ a curve-surface approach to reducing radar emissions.[6] The B-2 was the first aircraft to incorporate the JDAM.[6] To start the aircraft, the aircrew hits a slap switch on the nose gear to start the aux power units.[6] Then they hit an auto-start switch to start the engines and avionics and shut down the APU.[6] It uses Link 16 and has an AESA Radar.[6] The B-2 destroyed 33.3% of Serbian targets in the first 8 weeks o the Kosovo war.[6] One of the longest flights was from Whiteman to Afghanistan during Enduring Freedom.[6] It also participated in the 2003 Iraqi Freedom operation, as well as the 2011 Libyan operation Odyssey Dawn.[6] B-2 Crews use a folding beach chair to take naps during long flights.[6] The aircraft “Spirit of Washington” was damaged by an engine fire at Guam but was repaired.[6] The B-2 could reach the entire world with one refueling.[7] The takeoff decision speed for the B-2 is 100 kts.[8]
B-2 Development
[[AGM-158C LRASM]] – can carry 16
[[Nuclear Triad]] – part of the Air-leg
[[Active Flutter Suppression]] – B-2 used this
[[B-2 Spirit Radar Detection Simulation]]
[[Low Observable Design]] – B-2 has upper wing-mounted engine intakes
[[Calspan TIFS]] – simulated the B-2
[[B-2 Refueling Pitch Controller]]
[[B-2 Off-Nominal Approach Pitch Controller]]
[[JDAM]] – The B-2 was the first JDAM capable aircraft
[[US Bombing of Chinese Embassy]] – B-2 accidental strike
[[B-2 Flight Control Actuation System]]
[[B-2 Flight Control Surfaces]]
[[B-2 Hydraulic System]]
[[B-2 Avionics System]]
[[B-2 Weapons Bays]]
[[B-2 Flight Control Laws]]
[[B-2 Aerodynamics]]
[[B-2 Failure Detection and Isolation]]
[[B-2 Structure]]
[[B-2 Propulsion]]
[[B-2 Low Observable Design]]
[[B-2 EHF SATCOM and Computer Upgrade]]
[[2008 B-2 Crash]]
[[AN_APQ-181]] – cheek radars
Sources
- [1] The Infographics Show, How Would US Respond To Russian Nuclear Attack in Ukraine War, (Nov. 17, 2022). Accessed: Nov. 26, 2022. [Online Video]. Available: https://youtube.com/watch?v=1IresaXAmIA
- [2] Not What You Think, How Was The Blackbirds Program Kept Secret?, (Dec. 02, 2022). Accessed: Dec. 02, 2022. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWGmBaxLNlw
- [3] Real Engineering, The Insane Engineering of the F-35B, (Jan. 28, 2023). Accessed: Feb. 03, 2023. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lCOgFPtaZ4
- [4] P. J. Filardi, “Integration of the Join Direct Attack Munition on the F-14B Tomcat”.
- [5] W. S. Schaefer, L. J. Inderhees, and J. F. Moynes, “Flight Control Actuation System for the B-2 Advanced Technology Bomber,” SAE Transactions, vol. 100, pp. 284–295, 1991.
- [6] PeninsulaSrsVideos, B-2 Flight Test, (Jul. 07, 2017). Accessed: Jul. 08, 2024. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Fo44a5oOQ
- [7] “B-2 flight test program – An update.” Accessed: Aug. 04, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/epdf/10.2514/6.1992-4118
- [8] B. O’Connor and J. Lloyd, “The Unknown Known: USAF B-2 Type A Mishap.” Accessed: Aug. 04, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://sma.nasa.gov/docs/default-source/safety-messages/safetymessage-2009-01-01-usafb2mishap-vits.pdf?sfvrsn=d2a91ef8_4