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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.
