Key Points and Summary – Despite being over 35 years old, the B-2 Spirit remains a cornerstone of U.S. airpower, recently demonstrating its enduring capability in long-range strikes against Iran.
-Its key strengths include intercontinental range (over 7,000 miles unrefueled), effective stealth allowing penetration of sophisticated defenses, a massive 40,000-pound payload (conventional or nuclear), and advanced avionics.
The B-2 Spirit flies over the Rose Parade at Pasadena Ca., Jan. 1, 2024. The Rose Parade is a parade of flower covered floats, marching band, and equestrian units that is produced by the Tournament of Roses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bryce Moore)
-However, its greatest weakness is its tiny fleet size; due to post-Cold War cuts, only 19 B-2s remain operational.
This limited number creates a strategic vulnerability and strains the Air Force’s ability to meet global demands, highlighting the urgency for its successor, the B-21 Raider.
Why The B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber Still Rocks
The B-2 Spirit is the US Air Force’s outstanding stealth bomber. It has been in the inventory for more than 35 years, which speaks to its effectiveness.
However, the US Air Force currently has only 19 B-2 stealth bombers, a number it likely regrets. The shortsightedness of high-ranking service and government officials has left the Air Force with a deficit in bombers.
Initially, the plan was to build 132 B-2s; that number was later reduced to 75, but after the end of the Cold War, it was further reduced to 21. Since then, the number has been reduced further, with two aircraft lost in accidents.
A B-2 Spirit soars after a refueling mission over the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, May 30, 2006. The B-2, from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., is part of a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
With bellicose actions by China, Russia, and now with the Israeli bombing of Iran, the demand for the B-2 is going up, especially with Israel lacking the ability to penetrate the deep bunkers where Iran hides its nuclear enrichment facilities.
While the B-21 Raider will soon be taking its place in the Air Force’s bomber fleet, the B-2 is still a more than capable stealth bomber, as seen by the recent long-range bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
So, what are the best features of the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers?
The Range To Hit Anywhere In the World
The B-2 Spirit could fly to Iran from its home base in Missouri, as it has a 7,000-mile range before refueling. With one just in-flight refueling, the B-2 has a range of 10,000 nautical miles.
This intercontinental range enables it to project air power anywhere on the globe and respond to crises quickly.
The B-2 holds the record for the longest air combat mission in history. In 2001, the Spirit of America and five other B-2s were the first to enter Afghan airspace for a record-setting 44-hour mission.
The aircraft’s performance is even more impressive in that the B-2 made a quick pit stop for a 45-minute crew and service change with engines still running. It then flew back to Missouri for another 30-hour flight, bringing the total to more than 70 consecutive hours.
B-2 Bomber Dropping Bomb. Image Credit: DOD.
Biggest Advantage for B-2 Spirit in 1 Word: Stealth
The B-2 Spirit’s stealth characteristics, or low observable technologies, are designed to make the aircraft more challenging to detect.
When you couple the B-2 Spirit’s ability to reduce acoustic, infrared, electromagnetic, visual, and radar signatures with a high aerodynamic flying wing design, special coatings, and composite materials, you get a potent and unique capability able to penetrate the most sophisticated enemy defenses and hold at risk high-value, heavily defended targets.
The B-2 features Gen-1 stealth technology, which dates from the 1980s and 90s.
This technology is still effective—as seen during the B-2’s June airstrikes inside Iranian airspace. The B-2 was built with stealth optimization merely from the front, whereas it was much more detectable from the rear.
This stealth profile allows it to penetrate the most sophisticated air defenses unnoticed.
High Payload Capacity
The B-2 Spirit can carry a maximum of 40,000 pounds (20 tons) of weapons, including smart bombs, bunker busters, and nuclear weapons.
This significant payload capacity allows it to carry a heavy and diverse mix of ordnance on a single mission, including up to eighty 500-pound class Mk 82 JDAM GPS-guided bombs or sixteen 2,400-pound B83 nuclear bombs.
A B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, taxis for take off at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, in support a Bomber Task Force mission, Aug. 26, 2020. BTF missions allow U.S. Strategic Command to provide persistent, long-term bomber presence to aid in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Heather Salazar)
Mission Versatility
The B-2 bomber’s versatility stems from its stealth technology, allowing it to penetrate heavily defended airspace, and its multi-role capability to deliver a wide range of both conventional and nuclear weapons.
It has a long-range, high-payload capacity, enabling it to strike targets anywhere in the world. Its versatility is further supported by its ability to carry a mix of precision-guided bombs and larger munitions, as well as its endurance for all-altitude missions.
The B-2 can be armed with both conventional and nuclear weapons, making it a flexible asset for different types of missions.
It can perform deep-strike, precision strike, and intelligence-gathering missions, or even act as a deterrent.
Advanced Avionics and Precision Weapons
The aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics, including a multi-mode radar and terrain-following radar.
The stealth-optimized bomber relies on advanced automation to enable its two-man crew to not only complete extended missions but also to fly at all. The 172-foot wingspan bomber remains one of the most exotic aircraft ever made to date and cannot be flown without computer assistance.
A B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, taxis down a flight line, Oct 24, 2019. Total Force Airmen at Whiteman AFB are ready to execute the mission anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Barley)
It can deliver both GPS-guided and laser-guided bombs with high precision, allowing for accurate strikes against high-value targets.
B-2s Are Still Outstanding Bombers, But There Aren’t Enough
The B-2 is still one of, if not the, stealthiest bombers in the world (not counting the B-21 Raider, its replacement). However, the Air Force only has 19, which isn’t nearly enough, especially if the US is going to war with China.
A second B-21 Raider, the world’s sixth-generation stealth bomber, test aircraft arrives at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 11, 2025. The addition of the second test aircraft expands mission systems and weapons integration testing, advancing the program toward operational readiness. (Courtesy photo)
This reduction, resulting from budget cuts and the end of the Cold War, leaves the Air Force with fewer stealth bombers than initially envisioned, impacting its ability to conduct large-scale, long-range strikes against potential adversaries like China and Russia.
A significant air attack campaign against an advanced near-peer adversary would require a large number of attacking bombers spread across a wide combat envelope to achieve the desired effect. Russia and China are vast countries with many air defenses dispersed throughout their territory, protecting vital assets.
An initial high-altitude bombing strike would need to cover a wide area to disable any dispersed yet increasingly interconnected network of air defenses, ensuring effectiveness in establishing air superiority.
The B-2’s role is further complicated by the impending introduction of the B-21 Raider, which will eventually replace the B-2 but is not yet fully operational.
The B-2 Spirit is powered by four General Electric F118-GE-100 engines, each with over 17,000 pounds of thrust. Its ceiling is 50,000 feet, and it can carry conventional or nuclear weapons.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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