Rare photos of B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, each worth billions of dollars

Rare photos of B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, each worth billions of dollars

Sunday, April 21, 2024 14:00 PM (GMT+7)

According to War Zone, the US Air Force has just demonstrated its power and readiness to fight with 12 B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. The cost of building a B-2 when it was launched in 1988 was 515 million USD (about 1.06 billion USD today). If you include research and development costs, each Spirit will cost up to 2.1 billion USD.

"Twelve B-2 Spirit stealth bombers from the 509th Bomb Wing conducted consecutive takeoffs at Whiteman Air Force Base on April 15, concluding the annual Spirit Vigilance exercise," the US Air Force announced.

"This is a routine training activity that ensures service members are ready to conduct strike missions globally at all times," the US Air Force added.

The takeoff on April 15 with 12 bombers is equivalent to nearly 70% of all B-2 aircraft in the US Air Force's current inventory.

Currently, this force usually only has 11-12 B-2s that are combat-ready, the rest are in the maintenance workshop.

Commenting on the B-2 display, War Zone expert Oliver Parken said: "Deploying 12 B-2 Spirit aircraft at the same time is a very impressive move. It could be a message to show off the strength and readiness of this squadron."

Spirit Vigilance is a training exercise designed to improve the combat capabilities of forces based at Whiteman Airfield, the sole home base of the B-2 Spirit squadron.

The continuous takeoff exercise will simulate a large-scale conflict situation, in which the B-2 squadron must urgently evacuate the base to avoid a preemptive strike and attack the designated target in the shortest time.

The B-2 Spirit is a strategic bomber launched by the US in 1988 and is also the most expensive aircraft in history. The cost of building a B-2 at that time was 515 million USD, equivalent to 1.06 billion USD today.

Including research and development costs, each Spirit will cost up to 2.1 billion USD.

The B-2 stealth bomber is the spearhead of all US preemptive strikes, thanks to its ability to be invisible to enemy radar and to be able to carry many different types of weapons.

Thanh Nha (According to GDTĐ)

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Source: https://danviet.vn/anh-hiem-ve-oanh-tac-co-tang-hinh-b-2-spirit-co-gia-ca-ty-usd-moi-chiec-20240421121802724.htm