B-2 Specifications
Specifications
Primary function: Multi-role heavy bomber.
Prime Contractor: Northrop Grumman Corp.
Contractor Team: Boeing Military Airplanes Co.,
General Electric Aircraft Engine Group
Hughes Training Inc., Link Division
Power Plant/Manufacturer: Four General Electric F-118-GE-100 engines
Thrust: 17,300 pounds each engine (7,847 kilograms)
Length: 69 feet (20.9 meters)
Height: 17 feet (5.1 meters)
Wingspan: 172 feet (52.12 meters)
Speed, cruise: High subsonic
Speed, minimum approach: 140 mph
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,000 meters)
Weight, Takeoff, (Typical): 336,500-350,000 pounds (152,600-159,000 kilograms)
Weight, Empty: 125,000-160,000 lb
Range: 6000 nautical miles (9600 kilometers) unrefueled range for a hi-lo-hi mission with 16 B61 nuclear free-fall bombs,
10,000 miles with one aerial refueling
Armament: NUCLEAR
16 B61
16 B83
16 AGM-131 SRAM 2 CONVENTIONAL
80 MK82 [500lb]
16 MK84 [2000lb]
34-36 CBU87
34-36 CBU89
34-36 CBU97
PRECISION
216 GBU-39 SDB [250lb] (b-52 max loadout ONLY 51 500 pounders)
80 GBU-30 JDAM [500lb](compared to 51 on B52)
16 GBU-32 JDAM [2000lb]
8 GBU 27
8 EGBU 28
8 GBU 36
8 GBU 37
8-16 AGM-154 JSOW
8-16 AGM-137 TSSAM
2 MOP / DSHTW / Big BLU
Payload: 40,000 pounds (18,000 kilograms)
Crew: Two pilots
Unit cost: Approximately $2.1 billion [average]
Date Deployed: December 1993
Inventory: Active force: 21 (planned operational
aircraft); ANG: 0; Reserve: 0
Nice info, but not much use without the comparable information for the B-52. I suspect that the old "Buff" can haul more stuff.
The B-2's only advantage is it's "stealth" capability, which, as the article states, is only useful in places where the US hasn't established air superiority. Once they have, then the B-52 would be superior "mission capable".