Despite the development of the new B-21 Raider strategic bomber and plans to introduce it to the troops, the US Air Force does not intend to abandon the “old” B-2 Spirit. Manufacturer Northrop Grumman will continue to modernize its fleet of strategic bombers.
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To date, the US Air Force has 20 (twenty) B-2 Spirit strategic bombers. Aircraft are constantly being upgraded due to their obsolescence, which no longer allows effective combat operations in areas where air defense systems are used.
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The US Air Force command has repeatedly stated that after the adoption of the latest strategic bomber B-21 Raider, B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit will be decommissioned, only B-52H will remain.
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However, the plans of the command have changed, and the B-2 Spirit is now being actively modernized. It is reported that the JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended) cruise missile with precise guidance has been added to the aircraft’s arsenal. The B-2 Spirit also received a new RATS (Radar Assisted Targeting System) radar guidance system, which allows it to use the B-61 mod 12 thermonuclear bomb. The aircraft also received a new secure communications system.
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The unparalleled capabilities of the B-2 make it the only long-range stealth bomber in the US arsenal.
