They move like shadows across the night sky nearly invisible to radar, terrifying in capability, and unrivaled in design.
The B-2 Spirit, more commonly known as the B-2 bomber, is one of the most advanced and secretive military aircraft in the world, and nearly 30 years since it first took flight, it remains a central pillar of U.S. strategic power.
During a joint news conference on Sunday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine announced the successful completion of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a significant overnight airstrike targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Launched on Saturday in coordination with Israel, the operation deployed over 125 U.S. military aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers, F-35 fighters, refueling tankers, and surveillance planes. Submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles also played a role.
This operation marked the first combat deployment of the U.S. Air Force’s powerful 30,000-pound GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs by the stealth bomber.
What Is the B-2?
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a stealth bomber designed to penetrate sophisticated enemy air defenses and deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads deep behind enemy lines. Developed in the 1980s during the height of the Cold War, it was first introduced into service in 1997.
What makes the B-2 extraordinary is its stealth technology. Its flying wing design, radar-absorbing materials, and heat-dispersing systems make it nearly invisible to radar, even in heavily defended airspace.
Only 21 B-2 bombers were ever built. As of 2025, fewer than 20 remain operational, stationed primarily at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.
A Design Like No Other
The B-2’s iconic shape—more akin to a spaceship than a traditional aircraft—is no accident. Every curve and contour is engineered to minimize radar cross-section, reducing the chance of detection.
• Wingspan: 52.4 meters (172 feet)
• Range: Over 11,000 km without refueling (nearly halfway around the globe)
• Crew: Two pilots
• Speed: Subsonic (~1,010 km/h or 630 mph)
It can carry up to 18 tonnes of ordnance, including precision-guided bombs and thermonuclear weapons.
Combat Record and Strategic Role
While originally designed for Cold War-era nuclear deterrence, the B-2 has since been used in combat missions over Kosovo (1999), Iraq (2003), Libya (2011), and more recently in precision strikes against terrorist targets.
Its strategic value lies in its ability to strike anywhere in the world, often from U.S. soil, and return without ever being seen—delivering powerful messages without words.
In 2020, a B-2 participated in high-profile training missions across Europe and the Indo-Pacific, flying alongside NATO and allied air forces. The aim: to demonstrate U.S. reach and reassure allies.
Expensive but Effective
Each B-2 bomber costs an estimated $2 billion, making it one of the most expensive aircraft ever built. Its maintenance is equally demanding, with special climate-controlled hangars required to preserve the delicate radar-absorbent coating.
Critics have long questioned its cost-effectiveness, but supporters argue that its unique combination of stealth, range, and payload has no equal.
As global tensions rise and peer competitors like China and Russia enhance their own long-range strike capabilities, the B-2 continues to serve as a vital deterrent.
The Future of Stealth Bombers
The B-2’s successor, the B-21 Raider, is currently undergoing testing and is expected to enter service later this decade.
Lighter, more efficient, and even stealthier, the B-21 will eventually take over the B-2’s mantle.
For now, it remains the undisputed king of stealth, an aircraft that combines futuristic technology with unmatched global reach.
