B-2 - Northrop Grumman

The B-2 at 30: Evolution of the Stealth Bomber

Omar Torres — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 11:00:00 GMT

There are moments in aviation history that spell a quantum leap in technology, a real game changing event fueled by the power of human ingenuity and innovation.

This is the story of the U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit, one of the most survivable aircraft in the world — from its cutting edge flying wing design to its evolution as the world’s only stealth bomber.

July 17 marks 30 years since the Northrop Grumman-designed B-2 Spirit first took to the skies. Three decades later, the iconic flying wing is more advanced than ever and in a class of its own. Morphing with the times, the B-2’s avionics technology, stealth and armament have evolved to ensure U.S. air dominance.

A B-2 Spirit arrives at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale Aircraft Center of Excellence where the aircraft undergoes a complete “wingtip-to-wingtip” overhaul. For four consecutive years beginning in 2015, Northrop Grumman has successfully increased the availability of the B-2 stealth bomber to the U.S. Air Force by delivering aircraft on an accelerated schedule.

“Over the years, I’ve been lucky to see many of our best and brightest dedicate themselves to the B-2,” said Kirby Findley, Northrop Grumman’s site manager at Whiteman Air Force Base. “Our newer generations are working side by side with employees who have been here since the early days of the B-2.”

The B-2 program is a prime example of how blending original designs and experienced employees with innovative technologies, newly hired software engineers and first-time technicians can change the future of aviation for the better. It is also one of many qualities of the B-2 program that enables the stealth bomber fleet to remain ready.

“The individual contributions of our employees build on an enduring legacy of partnership and ingenuity with the U.S. Air Force that is now 30 years strong and still going,” said Richard Sullivan, vice president and B-2 program manager, Northrop Grumman. “Keeping the B-2 fleet mission ready and available is our number one priority.”

The B-2 can lay claim to several accomplishments since its first flight 30 years ago. During its legendary combat debut in Operation Allied Force, the stealth bomber flew less than 1 percent of the total missions, yet destroyed 33 percent of the targets in the first eight weeks of the conflict. The B-2 also set a record with a 44-hour air combat mission in 2001. Its ability to penetrate enemy territory undetected is why it’s been called to duty in the opening phases of several conflicts including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Odyssey Lightning.

As the only U.S. aircraft that combines stealth, long-range, heavy payload and precision munitions, its successes could not be more impactful as the U.S. Air Force prepares to cross the threshold to a predominately stealth air force of low observable bombers, fighters and weapons.

The B-2 Spirit remains an engineering marvel and combat proven aircraft that will continue to pave the way forward for years to come. Click here to watch it soar through the skies.

Discover the history of the B-2 at northropgrumman.com/craftinghistory or visit northropgrumman.com/B-2 to learn more about the legendary aircraft.

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Northrop Grumman Completes B-2 Bomber Maintenance in Record Time

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 20:26:00 GMT

B-2 Spirit stealth bomber Spirit of Kitty Hawk lifts off from U.S. Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, Calif. on Sept. 23 for its delivery flight to Whiteman AFB.

PALMDALE, Calif. -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has delivered on a commitment to the U.S. Air Force to increase the availability of the B-2 stealth bomber fleet by completing a periodic "wingtip-to-wingtip" overhaul of the jet in a record 359 days.

The company returned B-2 Spirit of Kitty Hawk to the bomber's operational home at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on Sept. 23. The shorter cycle for programmed depot maintenance (PDM), a process that has averaged more than 400 days in the past, is part of a new B-2 maintenance approach expected to save taxpayers about $900 million over the life of the fleet.

Northrop Grumman is the Air Force's prime contractor for the B-2, the most powerful and most survivable weapon system in the nation's long range strike arsenal.

"Our success reducing PDM flow days to less than a year stems from an aggressive, on-going effort by Northrop Grumman and the Air Force to put more B-2s on the nation's flight line," said Dave Mazur, vice president and B-2 program manager, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "We've worked closely with our customers to improve their B-2 parts acquisition process, while also reviewing critically and streamlining every aspect of our own PDM processes."

Under a B-2 contract modification signed in April, Northrop Grumman will overhaul each jet once every nine years, versus the previous frequency of once every seven years. The company will maintain only two jets in PDM at any one time instead of the historical three and will complete PDM in an average of 365 days.

"Over the past 22 years of operation, we've observed that many of the B-2's major components are holding up much better than expected," said Mazur. "As a result, we're able to extend its maintenance interval without jeopardizing its readiness to serve the nation's global security interests."

PDM includes a complete restoration of the B-2's outer surfaces; servicing of many of its major moving parts such as landing gear, control surfaces and ejection seats; and installation of software or hardware upgrades. The process is performed at Northrop Grumman's B-2 Depot & Modification Center in Palmdale.

The B-2 bomber is the only aircraft in the U.S. inventory that combines stealth, long range, large payload and precision weapons delivery. It can fly 6,000 nautical miles unrefueled and more than 10,000 nautical miles with just one aerial refueling, giving it the ability to reach any point on the globe within hours, and hold at risk an enemy's most heavily defended targets.

Please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/performance/stealth/ for more information about the company's legacy developing advanced aircraft systems.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

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Photo Release -- US Air Force, Northrop Grumman Craft Plan to Increase B-2 Operational Availability

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 18:00:00 GMT

PALMDALE, Calif., Sept. 14, 2015 -- The U.S. Air Force expects to increase the number of B-2 stealth bombers available for combat by one full jet and reduce fleet sustainment costs significantly under a new maintenance agreement worked out with B-2 prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC).

Under the contract modification signed in April, Northrop Grumman will give each B-2 a major, end-to-end overhaul – a process called programmed depot maintenance (PDM) – once every nine years. Each jet currently undergoes PDM once every seven years. The PDM process, which includes a complete restoration of the jet's exterior surfaces, is performed at the company's Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in Palmdale.

"This new approach to B-2 maintenance is a win-win for the Air Force and the nation," said Brig. Gen Eric Fick, Program Executive Officer for Fighters and Bombers within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. "It will enhance the jet's readiness to conduct global security missions, and is expected to save taxpayers about $900 million in maintenance costs over the life of the fleet."

"The nine-year PDM cycle is part of an aggressive on-going effort by Northrop Grumman and the Air Force to increase bomber availability," said Pat McMahon, sector vice president and general manager for military aircraft systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Our experienced work force has critically reviewed every PDM material and process for potential improvements. As a result, we've been able to reduce the length of the PDM process, and increase the time between PDM periods."

Bolstered by the adoption of USAF best practices used by other Northrop Grumman programs, the new nine-year overhaul cycle will reduce the average length of B-2 PDM to 365 days, down from more than 400 days in previous years. Under the new rhythm, Northrop Grumman will induct a B-2 into PDM approximately once every six months.

"Our delivery of the B-2 Spirit of Ohio back to the Air Force in August marked the last time we expect to have more than two jets in PDM at any one time," said McMahon. "Fewer jets undergoing PDM in Palmdale will keep more B-2s ready to serve the nation's security needs."

The B-2 is the only long-range, large-payload U.S. military aircraft that can penetrate deeply into denied access enemy air space. It can fly 6,000 nautical miles unrefueled and more than 10,000 nautical miles with just one aerial refueling, giving it the ability to reach any point on the globe within hours and hold at risk an enemy's most heavily defended targets.

The latest B-2 product news and information from Northrop Grumman is available at http://www.northropgrumman.com/B-2 .

  CONTACT: Brooks McKinney, APR
         310-812-4964 (office)
         310-864-3785 (mobile)
         brooks.mckinney@ngc.com

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Northrop Grumman Passes Key Design Review for B-2 Weapons Management Upgrade Program

Wed, 27 May 2015 13:05:00 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- May 27, 2015 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Air Force that its plans to upgrade key weapons management software for the B-2 stealth bomber are on track and ready to proceed to the next level of development.

The company successfully completed the critical design review (CDR) of the service's Flexible Strike Phase 1 program on Feb 3. Air Force approval of the CDR authorizes Northrop Grumman to begin development and integration of the new software and hardware required for the upgrade.

Northrop Grumman is the Air Force's prime contractor for the B-2, one of the most powerful and survivable long range strike systems in the world.

"The Flexible Strike software upgrade lays the foundation for future system enhancements, including the ability to carry multiple weapon types," said Col. Robert Strasser, U.S. Air Force, B-2 system program manager and chief of the B-2 division of the Air Force's Fighters and Bombers Directorate. "This 'mixed loads' capability will ensure maximum strategic nuclear and conventional strike capability."

CDR is a key review point in a three-year, $102 million contract awarded to Northrop Grumman in Aug. 2014. The contract covers the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) portion of the Flexible Strike Phase 1 program.

"The Flexible Strike software upgrade program will give the B-2 a simpler, more powerful way to manage communications with its weapon systems," said Dave Mazur, vice president and B-2 program manager, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "It will also reduce B-2 maintenance costs, increase mission flexibility and increase aircraft reliability."

The B-2 currently uses software called an operational flight program (OFP) to manage the communication between the jet and the hardware that holds and dispenses its weapons. Under its EMD contract, Northrop Grumman is replacing several mission-specific OFPs with a single OFP that can manage all of the B-2's weapons carriage devices.

The latest B-2 product news and information from Northrop Grumman is available at http://www.northropgrumman.com/B-2 .

  CONTACT: Brooks McKinney, APR
         310-812-4964 office
         310-864-3785 mobile
         brooks.mckinney@ngc.com

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