The United States’ iconic Northrop B-2 Spirit, famously dubbed the “Stealth Bomber,” continues to reign as one of the most formidable aircraft ever built. Designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses, this heavy strategic bomber features a flying-wing design and revolutionary low-observable stealth technology that renders it nearly invisible to enemy radar.
Built between 1988 and 2000 under Northrop (now Northrop Grumman) as the prime contractor — with key contributions from Boeing, Hughes, and Vought — the B-2 Spirit is flown by a two-person crew and travels at subsonic speeds. Its stealth prowess allows the bomber to deploy powerful payloads with pinpoint accuracy.
The bomber can drop a range of conventional and nuclear munitions, including up to 80 GPS-guided 500-pound Mk 82 bombs or as many as 16 thermonuclear B83 bombs. According to a U.S. Air Force spokesperson, the B-2 is “the only in-service aircraft that can deliver large standoff weapons while remaining nearly invisible to radar,” making it one of America’s most lethal aerial assets.
Despite being decades old, the B-2 Spirit’s game-changing design and deadly payload ensure that it will remain a cornerstone of U.S. strategic operations for years to come.
