B2 bomber cockpit toilet9/26/2023 The B-2 Spirit was developed to take over the USAF’s vital penetration missions, able to travel deep into enemy territory to deploy their ordnance which could include nuclear weapons. The B-2’s long range meant it could fly deep into enemy territory and return home. Its shape – paired with the plane’s stealth systems – would enable it to be undetected by Soviet radars. The B-2 was originally intended to carry nuclear bombs deep into Soviet territory if the Cold War had ever turned hot. The story has been updated with the corrected quote.This week marks the 20th anniversary of the deployment to Guam of one of America’s most important and expensive weapon systems – the B-2 Spirit. Ryder as discussing the "B-53" aircraft instead of the B-52. The Pentagon plans to build 100 B-21s, more than the total number of Air Force B-2s and B-1Bs combined.Įditor's Note: Due to a transcription error this story previously quoted Pentagon spokesperson Brig. The Air Force unveiled the newest bomber, the B-21 Raider earlier this month, marking the first bomber in the American military's fleet in more than 30 years. The last time the bomber went through in-depth inspection was 2014, according to investigators.Įach B-2 bomber costs around $1.1 billion, according to an Air Force fact sheet. But the report said that "there is no requirement for routine replacement of the lock link" springs. No error was attributed to the pilot or crew. Robert Cocke, the investigation board president, wrote in the report that the crash likely happened because lock springs on the landing gear failed to provide "sufficient pressure" to maintain a locked position, causing the wheels to buckle under the aircraft. That report revealed that the damage estimate to the B-2 was around $10 million. A March 17 report from Air Force Global Strike Command provided more details. There were no injuries, and unlike this month's incident, the bomber didn't catch fire. The last major mishap with a B-2 was more than a year ago in September 2021, when a stealth bomber rolled off the runway at Whiteman. Daniel Diehl, 509th Bomb Wing commander, said in a press release. We deeply regret having to make this decision so close to the event, but we are committed to returning to Pasadena in 2024," Col. "Our number one concern is the safety and security of our personnel and fleet. 2 in Pasadena, Calif., but will be replaced by B-1B Lancers flown out of Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. The B-2 Bomber was scheduled to be flown during the 2023 Rose Bowl Parade and Game on Jan. Whiteman Air Force Base also said in an emailed statement on Wednesday that the B-2 fleet "can be flown if directed by the commander in chief to fulfill mission requirements." I know that our maintainers work hard to ensure that those aircraft are available and off the ground as soon as they can." "As you know, we also have the B-52, which is both conventional and nuclear capable, which provides a redundant capability broadly speaking when it comes to our strategic forces. "The Department of Defense, to include the Air Force, has a variety of capabilities at its disposal, particularly when it comes to our strategic bomber fleet," Ryder said. Ryder, the Department of Defense press secretary, told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday that other aircraft in the Air Force's portfolio can also carry out the nuclear mission. The grounding of the B-2s comes as Russia continues to hint at a willingness to use nuclear weapons in its failing war in Ukraine.īrig. military's nuclear triad, meant to deter potential nuclear strikes from adversaries. Whiteman Air Force Base said in a statement Wednesday that Air Force Global Strike Command ordered the stand-down "in order for a safety investigation to be conducted on the aircraft."Īdditionally, the B-2 bomber makes up part of the U.S.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |