City of Palmdale

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JOE DAVIES HERITAGE AIRPARK AT PALMDALE PLANT 42

CONTACT CITY STAFF

Nicknamed "Stealth Bomber"

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A/C SN	None
Date Acquired:	November 2000
Acquired From:	Northrop Grumman Corporation
Displayed:	November 2000
Location	Entrance to the park

Model was presented to the Airpark by Northrop Grumman Corporation.

MANUFACTURER:	Northrop Grumman Corporation
PRODUCTION PERIOD:	1993 to 1997
NUMBER PRODUCED:	21
PRODUCTION SERIES:	Production Blocks 10, 20, and 30
ROLES:	Originally designed as a land-based all-weather intercontinental heavy-bomber for the US Air Force for nuclear weapons delivery, able to penetrate the most sophisticated air defenses with its low-observable (stealth) characteristics for the Cold War; later modified to also deliver conventional and guided weapons

(Figures given are for the B-2A model)

MAXIMUM SPEED:	680 mph (high subsonic)
SERVICE CEILING:	50,000 feet above sea level
RANGE:	6,000 miles (unlimited with aerial refueling)
WEAPONS:	Upwards of 50,000 lbs. of conventional, guided and nuclear weapons can be carried
CREW:	Two pilots
LENGTH:	69 feet
WINGSPAN:	172 feet
HEIGHT:	17 feet
MAXIMUM TAKEOFF WEIGHT:	375,000 lbs.
POWERPLANT:	Four General Electric F118-GE-100 turbofan engines providing 19,000 lbs. of thrust each
ACHIEVEMENTS:	Largest "stealth" aircraft; largest "flying wing" aircraft; considered the most survivable aircraft in the world; most expensive aircraft at $2 billion each
NOTE:	The B-2's low-observability or stealth is derived not just from a reduced radar "picture," but also from a unique combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic and visual "pictures."

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