A B-2 passes in front of the audience at Andrews AFB, during the open house there.

The Air Force's newest B-2 Spirit bomber was unveiled during a ceremony Dec. 16 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. During the ceremony, the stealth bomber was christened "Spirit of Kitty Hawk" in honor of the Wright Brothers' first flight. The Wright Brothers made four successful manned, heavier-than-air, powered flights on the morning of Dec. 17, 1903, near Kill Devil Hill, N.C. Orville made the first flight, 120 feet in 12 seconds, at 10:35 a.m. Wilbur flew 852 feet in 59 seconds during the final flight of the day. The aircraft is assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo., home to the Air Force's B-2 fleet. Eight more B-2s are scheduled for delivery by 1998 to complete the fleet of 21 bombers.

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology,the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time,anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology,the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time,anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

A B-2 is worked on in its hangar prior to a mission at Whiteman AFB. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology,the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time,anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time,anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

A B-2 Spirit Bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., drops a B61-11 bomb casing.

A B-2 Spirit assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, MO., is refueled by a KC-10A Extender. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

The U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit.

An aircrew performs an engine warm-up of a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., prior to departure on Friday, April 23, 1999, on an Operation Allied Force combat mission.

A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber refuels from a KC-10 Extender after completing a mission in support of NATO Operation Allied Force. The B-2 is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. (990331-F-4406B-503)

America's Stealth force takes to the air over California. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. The F-117A Nighthawk is the world's first operational aircraft designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology. The unique design of the single-seat F-117A provides exceptional combat capabilities. About the size of an F-15 Eagle, the twin-engine aircraft is powered by two General Electric F404 turbofan engines and has quadruple redundant fly-by-wire flight controls. Air refuelable, it supports worldwide commitments and adds to the deterrent strength of the U.S. military forces.

A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber was officially named the Spirit of Indiana during a ceremony at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., on Saturday, May 22, 1999. The B-2 is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

A B-2 Sprit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. pulls up for a fill-up with a KC-135 Stratotanker of New Jersey's 108th Air Refueling Wing, Air National Guard over Kansas farmland. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. The KC-135 Stratotanker's principal mission is air refueling. This asset greatly enhances the U. S. Air Force's capability to accomplish its mission of Global Engagement. It also provides aerial refueling support to U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and allied aircraft.

A B-2 Spirit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. pulls up for a fill-up with a KC-135 Stratotanker of New Jersey's 108th Air Refueling Wing, Air National Guard. The low-observable, or "stealth," characteristics of the B-2 Spirit gives it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets. The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers. Its unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers. Many aspects of the low-observability process remain classified; however, the B-2's composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design all contribute to its "stealthiness." The flying boom (extending into the photo) is part of the KC-135 Stratotanker. Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the tanker's boom. A cargo deck above the refueling system can hold a mixed load of passengers and cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds (37,648 kilograms) of cargo.

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. The low-observable, or "stealth," characteristics of the B-2 Spirit gives it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets. The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers. Its unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers. Many aspects of the low-observability process remain classified; however, the B-2's composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design all contribute to its "stealthiness."

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. The F-117A Nighthawk is the world's first operational aircraft designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology. The unique design of the single-seat F-117A provides exceptional combat capabilities. About the size of an F-15 Eagle, the twin-engine aircraft is powered by two General Electric F404 turbofan engines and has quadruple redundant fly-by-wire flight controls. Air refuelable, it supports worldwide commitments and adds to the deterrent strength of the U.S. military forces.