What's on the $2 billion plane the US used to bomb Iran?

During the attack on Iran's nuclear facilities on June 21, a squadron of US B-2 Spirit bombers flew non-stop for about 37 hours from a base in Missouri to attack points in Iran, refueling multiple times in the air, according to the New York Times .

Seven B-2 Spirits dropped a total of 14 GBU-57 bombs weighing about 14 tons on Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities. The B-2 is also the only aircraft model in the world capable of transporting and dropping the giant GBU-57 bombs.

This aircraft, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, first flew in 1989 and is now due for replacement. However, the B-2 was the world’s first strategic bomber and remains the only one to incorporate stealth features. The B-2 remains an impressive machine even as it prepares for retirement.

Stealth aircraft carrying 18 tons of bombs

The most surprising feature of the B-2 Spirit is its price. At $2 billion per plane, the B-2 is the most expensive aircraft ever built. By comparison, the ultra-luxury 747 that the Trump administration just received from the Qatari royal family costs $400 million , about a fifth of the price of a B-2.

The B-2 Spirit is the most expensive aircraft in the world. Photo: Reuters .

The reason this plane is so expensive is because only 21 were ever produced. Therefore, the huge investment in developing new, advanced technologies was not distributed among many units but concentrated on these 21 planes.

Billions of dollars in research and development have given the B-2 the lowest radar cross section (RCS) of any bomber. It has a wingspan of more than 50 meters and a length of more than 20 meters. Yet on radar, the giant B-2 appears to be the size of a small bird.

The aircraft achieves such a low RCS through a number of technologies, most notably its shape design. The B-2 has a flying wing design, meaning the fuselage and wings are combined and there is no tail. This design reduces RCS and improves aerodynamic efficiency, which in turn improves lift and drag. However, flying wing designs are inherently unstable, requiring electronic flight control systems to compensate for this instability.

The B-2 is large and carries up to 18 tons of weapons. Photo: AFGSC .

In addition to its flying wing design, the B-2 is also coated with radar absorbent material (RAM). Additionally, the aircraft's engine exhaust is designed to cool and reduce emissions, further reducing the aircraft's infrared signature.

The B-2 carries a maximum payload of 75 tons to fly continuously for up to 44 hours, with a range of more than 18,000km or up to 30,000km when refueled. During the US Enduring Freedom campaign against Afghanistan, the B-2 flew to the Central Asian country and returned to its base in Missouri in a single flight.

The aircraft's maximum payload is 18 tons of weapons. The US Air Force reported that more than half a ton of ammunition was dropped by this bomber.

B-2 will soon be replaced because it is too expensive.

Unlike the F-117, the world's first stealth aircraft, which was only stealthy from the front, the B-2 is stealthy from all angles, allowing it to penetrate deeper defended airspace.

A B-2 is escorted by four F-35s during an exercise in 2020. Photo: Reuters .

This is also the main advantage of the B-2. In theory, the aircraft is capable of passing through enemy defenses without being detected from behind. When combined with the ability to carry about 18 tons of weapons or nuclear bombs, the B-2 becomes a tool to change the strategy of battles. To this day, the B-2 remains a powerful and almost unrivaled deterrent weapon.

But the B-2’s heyday is coming to an end. One reason is its high operating costs, which can run as high as $130,000 an hour. The high costs are due to maintenance requirements, especially with stealth coatings that need to be reapplied regularly. Furthermore, with only 19 B-2s still in service, the small number creates long-term logistical and upgrade problems.

Ultimately, the B-2’s stealth performance has fallen behind technology. The B-21 Raider under development will offer better stealth, lower cost, easier maintenance, and greater survivability against modern air defenses.

Source: https://znews.vn/co-gi-tren-may-bay-2-ty-usd-ma-my-dung-de-nem-bom-iran-post1563205.html