B-2A Spirit

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.

Along with the B-52H Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer, the B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or "stealth," characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses unseen and threaten its most valued and heavily defended ground targets. Its capability is to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provide a strong, effective deterrent and combat force well into the 20th and the 21st century.

The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload capacity gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers in the world. Its low-observability provides it greater freedom of action at high altitudes, thus increasing its range and a better field of view for the aircraft's sensors. Its un-refueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers). Its range with mid-air refueling is only limited by how long the crew can stay ariborne.

The B-2's low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for the sophisticated defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2. 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 stealth.

The B-2 has a crew of two pilots, a pilot in the left seat and mission commander in the right, compared to the B-1B's crew of four and the B-52's crew of five.

Notable Units/Aces

 * Vulkan (AWWNB & BAF/ACZ)
 * Felsen (AWWNB & OADF/ACZ)
 * Grey Squadron (FEAF/AC4)
 * Razor Squadron (USAF/Ace Combat: Assault Horizon)

Armaments

 * Guided Penetration Bomb

Combat
In most circumstances, B-2s will appear throughout missions to launch airstrikes on friendly ground targets. At this point, B-2s will use their stealth capabilities to hide their position on the player's radar, to compensate for their lack of self-defense, thus leading players to visually pin-point the bombers' position.

In other circumstances, B-2s will launch attacks from a distance, such as the cruise missile-launching Spirits in Ace Combat 5's White Bird (Part I)", which use their stealth to attack the mass driver while hiding in each corner of the map-- as well, these are able to distrupt your missile lock-on capabilities, thus making the machine gun the only way to safely destroy them (as well as culling the missile barrages in the process.) Furthermore, recent games have even given the B-2s self-defense capabilities; the Spirits in Ace Combat Xs "Ice Bound" attacking the Naiad are able to launch AAMs at the player,

Control
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon features the first B-2 Spirit missions in the history of the series. Players will pilot a B-2 belonging to the USAF's Razor Flight, where they will go out on night-time bombing raids. As evidenced by newly-released media (see below), players will use Guided Penetration Bombs to attack ground resistance.

Trivia

 * The two B-2 aces in Ace Combat Zero's "The Talon of Ruin" (Felsen and Vulkan) are described in their Assault Records files as being "sent to escort the XB-0 Hresvelgr." It is surprising to see an Spirit on an air-to-air escort mission, due to the fact that Spirits can only carry ground attack ordnance.