Image source: topwar.ru
Despite the development of a new strategic bomber B-21 Raider and the plans for its introduction in the armed forces, the U.S. air force does not intend to abandon "old man" B-2 Spirit. The Northrop Grumman will continue the modernization of the fleet of strategic bombers.
To date, the air force of the United States are 20 (twenty) strategic bombers B-2 Spirit. Planes constantly moderniziriruyutsya due to the obsolescence of the aircraft, no longer able to effectively conduct combat operations in the areas with the use of air defense systems. In the command of the US air force has repeatedly stated that after adopting the latest strategic bomber B-21 Raider, will be charged from two models - the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit, there will remain only the B-52H.
However, the plans of the command changed and now the B-2 Spirit is actively moderniziriruyutsya. It is reported that Arsenal aircraft introduced high-precision cruise missile JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range). The strategist also got a new targeting system with a radar control RATS (Radar Aided Targeting System), which allows him to apply a thermonuclear bomb the B-61 mod 12. Got a plane and a new system of secure communication.
- said in Northrop Grumman
Strategic bomber B-2 Spirit was developed in the late 1980-ies with the wide application of stealth technology to overcome areas of enemy air defenses. The flight range of up to 11.1 thousand miles, speeds of up to 1 thousand km/h. Two inner compartments of the b-2 can carry up to 18 tons of bombs, the maximum load of 23 tons. Is the most expensive production aircraft in the world, in 1997 the cost of one bomber was 2.1 billion.
Earlier, the U.S. air force used these stealth strategic bombers to strike on Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan. So, as a result of one of the strikes on Belgrade in 1999 it was destroyed by the Chinese Embassy.
