These planes aren’t used often. They’re strategic bombers and the most expensive of America’s bombers too. Both in per flight hour cost and absolute cost
The B2 spirit is primarily made for the nuclear deterrence and warfare role. They are designed to penetrate air defense systems by being stealthy, A concept that was proved by the f-117 Nighthawk.
But since they have a heavy payload they’re also used to drop conventional bombs occasionally. When you have to service a large amount of targets or use really big bombs, A strategic bomber is the go-to solution. They used B2 in this case for what my guess is these reasons
stealthy means they can get past radar systems and they can shrink any warning time
The B2 is the only plane rated to carry the gbu-57 bunker busting bomb. The facilities they were trying to destroy were fortified, so most other bombs wouldn’t work.
It’s the plane that can carry the bomb but also classic trump move of showing off aging military tech that was new in the 80’s attempting to impress his friends in authoritarian states.
They get used often, as part of training. All 19(there are 21, q have about 1,000 missions a year. They have been used in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Yemen. They are very outdated in stealth tech and can only safely be used against opponents that lack modern-ish radar.
They are the only plane that can use the GBU-57A bunker buster.
Realistically the B-2 will be used for 10-15 more years before the B-21 is ready to go. Obviously a conflict with a peer force would accelerate that timeline.
The B52 payload capacity is 70,000lbs. The GBU-57 is 30,000 lbs. So B52 can easily carry two. (After all, the b52 was built to carry nukes half way around the globe). They arent configured to carry it simply because its a slow, big target.
How often does USA use these planes? Is this a show off thing?
America will murder for publicity.
These planes aren’t used often. They’re strategic bombers and the most expensive of America’s bombers too. Both in per flight hour cost and absolute cost
The B2 spirit is primarily made for the nuclear deterrence and warfare role. They are designed to penetrate air defense systems by being stealthy, A concept that was proved by the f-117 Nighthawk.
But since they have a heavy payload they’re also used to drop conventional bombs occasionally. When you have to service a large amount of targets or use really big bombs, A strategic bomber is the go-to solution. They used B2 in this case for what my guess is these reasons
It should be noted that they are in the process of being replaced.
B-21 raider <3 Now with less pixels
It’s the plane that can carry the bomb but also classic trump move of showing off aging military tech that was new in the 80’s attempting to impress his friends in authoritarian states.
They don’t often have a use case for them, which is probably a good thing.
They get used often, as part of training. All 19(there are 21, q have about 1,000 missions a year. They have been used in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Yemen. They are very outdated in stealth tech and can only safely be used against opponents that lack modern-ish radar.
They are the only plane that can use the GBU-57A bunker buster.
Well lookie here, seems like they found the perfect Last Mission Before Retirement.
Realistically the B-2 will be used for 10-15 more years before the B-21 is ready to go. Obviously a conflict with a peer force would accelerate that timeline.
Hold that thought…
It would have to be China or NATO.
They’re the only planes that can carry the biggest bunker buster massive ordinance penetrator.
The B52 can carry it. But the trick is being able to carry it and not get shot down.
Well no, not really.
The B52 payload capacity is 70,000lbs. The GBU-57 is 30,000 lbs. So B52 can easily carry two. (After all, the b52 was built to carry nukes half way around the globe). They arent configured to carry it simply because its a slow, big target.
So, what I hear you saying, is that it can’t carry it?
Anything is possible with enough zipties.
They did some testing with it, but I don’t think it is fully qualified.
The bunker
MUTILATOR
The Unbunkerator™
The whole point of stealth planes is not to have publicity…
Wrong! You need people to know you have something that can get past their radars otherwise the deterrence aspect doesn’t have any effect.
I mean, they were just used for something only they could do.
The porcine Christian nationalist ones will
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