US Air Force maintains aging B-2 Spirit fleet amid new developments

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US Air Force maintains aging B-2 Spirit fleet amid new developments

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US Air Force B-2 Spirit | Wikipedia

By Sky Industry News

Jun 28, 2025

The United States Air Force (USAF) continues to operate the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, a fifth-generation heavy bomber. Officially, 20 B-2 Spirits are listed as active, though only about 16 are deployable at any given time. The fleet was reduced after production ceased following the Cold War's end, with costs reaching $1.1 billion per aircraft in 1998 dollars.

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) manages these bombers, capable of missions worldwide due to their aerial refueling ability and an unrefueled range of 6,000 nautical miles. AFGSC maintains readiness for both conventional strikes and nuclear deterrence.

In 2008, a B-2 crash occurred in Guam due to a water-inundated sensor failure during takeoff. Major Ryan Link and Captain Justin Grieve ejected safely before the aircraft crashed. The incident highlighted the sensitivity of the B-2's components and its maintenance challenges.

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The average age of the B-2 fleet is nearly 29 years as of 2025. Maintenance cycles have been streamlined but remain costly due to the aircraft's pioneering technology.

The USAF plans to replace the B-2 with the B-21 Raider, designed for similar roles but with reduced operating costs. The B-21 is being developed by Northrop Grumman alongside other aerospace companies under strict supervision from USAF leadership.

Meanwhile, China has been developing stealth aircraft like the Chengdu J-36 and Shenyang J-50. Bryan Clark from Hudson Institute commented on these developments: "The tailless design is intended to be stealthy and the delta-wing design is intended to give it long-range."

Despite new developments, existing bombers like the Boeing B-52 continue service upgrades as they await replacement by newer models like the B-21 Raider.