Bomber, multirole
B-2 Spirit
A four-engine, long-range heavy bomber built around a flying-wing configuration and publicly documented low-observable design principles.
- Maximum speed
- Mach0.95
- Service ceiling
- 50,000ft
- Range
- 6,000nmi
- First flight
- 1989
Overview
- Manufacturer
- Northrop Grumman
- Country
- United States
- First flight
- Variant recorded
- B-2A
- Status
- In service
Engineering analysis
Aerodynamics
The B-2 is a flying wing shaped for low observability. Lift, payload volume and stealth all come from one broad airframe, so its aerodynamic and signature design decisions overlap.
Systems engineering
The whole airframe contributes to B-2 survivability: the flying-wing shape, composite materials, special coatings, and reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic and radar signatures. Keeping the surface in good condition is part of keeping that performance.
Specifications
Dimensions and weights as published, with the basis of each figure.
B-2 Spirit dimensions and weights
| Parameter | Figure | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 69 ft21 m | |
| Wingspan | 172 ft52.4 m | |
| Empty weight | 160,000 lb72,570 kgApproximate | Approximate |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 336,500 lb152,600 kgPublished maximum | Published maximum |
Published figures are shown as recorded. The figure under each one, in the other unit system, is converted by ORBIX and rounded to four significant figures or one decimal place, whichever is coarser. A figure with no qualifier is a published or nominal value.
Propulsion
The B-2 Spirit is powered by four General Electric F118-GE-100 low-bypass turbofans. Thrust figures in the table are per engine.
B-2 Spirit engines
| Engine | Maximum thrust | Type |
|---|---|---|
| F118-GE-1004 engines, General ElectricLow-bypass turbofan | 17,300 lbf77 kN | Low-bypass turbofan |
Performance
Published figures for the baseline aircraft. Range depends on load and fuel, so it is a reference value rather than a mission figure.
B-2 Spirit performance
| Parameter | Figure | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.95Published maximum | Published maximum |
| Range | 6,000 nmi11,110 kmApproximate | Approximate |
| Service ceiling | 50,000 ft15,240 m |
Range basis: unrefueled range.
History and variants
Each variant in the record in order of first flight, with its status. Variants with no first-flight date in the record come last.
B-2 Spirit variants by first flight
| Variant | Status | First flight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-2AIn serviceFirst flight | In service | Operational production configuration represented by this record. |
Photographs
B-2 Spirit receiving fuel from a tanker over the Indian Ocean, April 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage. Public domain. Source file. 
Hot-pit refueling of a B-2 Spirit at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, August 2019. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Barley. Public domain. Source file.
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