US to enhance its B-2 bomber’s long-range stealth missile capabilities

News, US August 29, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Air Force is set to enhance its B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber fleet’s capability, including its first long-range stealth missile.

Northrop Grumman’s B-2 stealth bomber successfully test-fired a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER) during a flight test in December last year. According to Northrop Grumman’s statement, “The JASSM-ER further enhances the B-2’s ability to hit any target, anywhere.”

JASSM-ER is one of three new advanced capabilities being introduced to the B-2 to further modernize the platform. “The integration of JASSM-ER enables the delivery of a low observable asset capable of traveling greater distances than its predecessor,” the statement added.

The latest system enhancements are part of integrated functional capability (IFC) P6.4. The U.S. Air Force certified IFC in 2021. The capabilities of this IFC continue to position the B-2 fleet as a key component of the Department of Defense’s nuclear triad. It is also part of the U.S. ongoing modernization efforts leveraging 21st-century technology incorporating digital engineering.

The B-2 stealth bomber fleet is capable of delivering conventional and nuclear weapons and is now integrating “crypto modernization and a Radar Aided Targeting System” (RATS). According to the company’s statement, the latest phase of nuclear modernization of the B-2 Spirit bomber will be completed with the integration of RATS.

RATS is the critical element of nuclear modernization, as GPS may not be available during a bomber task force mission. The integration of RATS allows the B-2 to fully employ the B-61 mod 12 nuclear bomb, according to the Northrop Grumman.

Crypto modernization would improve the communications security of various high-frequency transmissions. With latest upgrades, the B-2 bomber would be able to securely utilize advanced communication devices in the future threat environment.

^{U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit arrives at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale Aircraft Center of Excellence where the aircraft undergoes a complete “wingtip-to-wingtip” overhaul. (Image Credit: Northrop Grumman)}

Vice president and B-2 program manager at Northrop Grumman Shaugnessy Reynolds said “The unrivaled capabilities of the B-2 make it the only long range, penetrating stealth bomber currently in the U.S. arsenal.”

“Committed to continued modernization of the B-2, we’re leveraging our company’s innovation in digital engineering and its decades of leadership in designing and maintaining low observable platforms to keep the B-2 Spirit mission ready,” Reynolds added.

According to the Northrop Grumman, the B-2 stealth bomber is capable of conducting long range operations and can carry large payload and precision weapons delivery. The aircraft can fly 6,000 nautical miles unrefueled and more than 10,000 nautical miles with just one aerial refueling, which enables it to reach any point on the globe within hours.