WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Missouri. US Air Force B-2 Spirit multi-role radar evading strategic bomber capable of delivering both conventiona...
US Air Force B-2 Spirit multi-role radar evading strategic bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions has surpassed 7000 flight hours milestone, since its first arrival
in July 1996.
During its latest mission on April 1, the "Spirit of Florida" and its crew became the first B-2 to surpass 7,000 flight hours.
The Spirit of Florida was also the first to reach the 5,000-hour mark, which it did in May 2007, and the first to reach the 6,000-hour mark, which it did in January 2010.
During this flight, the B-2 was flown by Maj. Benjamin Kaminsky and was landed by crew chief Airman 1st Class Elijah Noel.
With a fuel capacity of 167,000 pounds and the ability to carry 40,000-pound payload, the multirole heavy bomber has a virtually limitless reach. It is the only aircraft to combine range, precision, stealth and a large payload.
US Air Force now operates 20 B-2 stealth bombers.
Earlier on March 28, U.S. Strategic Command deployed two B-2s for a round-trip deterrence mission from Whiteman Air Force Base to South Korea, intended to send a potent message to North Korea.
