How Do You Identify The B-2 Stealth Bomber?
John Northrop found few who believed in his visionary flying-wing design a half-century ago, but his genius has been vindicated by the Northrop Grumman B-2 “Spirit,” the United States’ first stealth-technology strategic bomber. Step 1 Look for a “flying wing.” The B-2 has no fuselage nor any vertical stabilizers protruding above the wing. Step 2 Look for a large aircraft. The B-2 has a 172-foot wingspan and is 69 feet long. It is, sruprisingly, only 17 feet tall. Step 3 Note that the “flying wing” has been designed in a swept-back configuration. Step 4 Check the remarkable design of the rear portion of the wing. It’s comprised entirely of sharp angles. Step 5 Note the relatively small bulge of the cockpit, with a minimal number of windows, near the midpoint of the wing. Step 6 Check the landing gear. The B-2 is supported by nose gear and two sets of main gear. Step 7 Note that it’s difficult to locate the B-2’s engines. They are embedded deep within the wing to lower their heat signatu
John Northrop found few who believed in his visionary flying-wing design a half-century ago, but his genius has been vindicated by the Northrop Grumman B-2 “Spirit,” the United States’ first stealth-technology strategic bomber. Look for a “flying wing.” The B-2 has no fuselage nor any vertical stabilizers protruding above the wing. Look for a large aircraft. The B-2 has a 172-foot wingspan and is 69 feet long. It is, sruprisingly, only 17 feet tall. Note that the “flying wing” has been designed in a swept-back configuration. Check the remarkable design of the rear portion of the wing. It’s comprised entirely of sharp angles. Note the relatively small bulge of the cockpit, with a minimal number of windows, near the midpoint of the wing. Check the landing gear. The B-2 is supported by nose gear and two sets of main gear. Note that it’s difficult to locate the B-2’s engines. They are embedded deep within the wing to lower their heat signature. Note also that the exhausts for the four engi
