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The B-2 Spirit Bomber, renowned for its stealth capabilities and high cost, remains a crucial component of the United States Air Force (USAF). Each unit costs over $2 billion, and operational expenses reach approximately $30 million annually. With its heavy maximum takeoff weight and four high-thrust jet engines, the B-2's fuel consumption is notably high.
According to the Air Force, the B-2 has a fuel capacity of 167,000 pounds and an unrefueled range of 6,900 miles. This translates to about 0.28 miles per gallon or just over 0.24 nautical miles per gallon. Other sources provide similar estimates; Aero Corner notes a fuel efficiency of 0.24 nautical miles per gallon, equating to 0.276 miles per gallon. Neta Crawford from Boston University shared on a podcast that aerial refueling tankers supplying the B-2 get around 2.9 gallons per mile.
"The aerial refueling tankers that supply them in the air are getting an estimated 2.9 gallons per mile," Crawford explained.
