NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is the world's most expensive aircraft. When total development costs are added in to the price of the long range, strategic, heavy bomber, the sum is $2.2 billion 1998 US dollars per aircraft.
In addition to Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Hughes, General Electric and Vought have all contributed to the engineering, development and production of the aircraft.
The Spirit can carry gravity bombs, smart bombs, and missiles. It is capable of carrying up to 16 nuclear as well as conventional bombs.
The profile of the aircraft, together with composite laminate and radar absorbing paints give it stealth characteristics.
The B-2 Spirit is constantly being upgraded and improved. In 2009 the bombers received the latest radar upgrades.
The original concept of the aircraft was that of a stealth, high altitude bomber. However, lessons learned from high flying aircraft and their vulnerability at to SAM's eventually changed the mission to include low altitude penetration.
When the B-2 was originally introduced, to justify its expense, the U.S.A.F. claimed that two of the aircraft would replace up to 75 bombers without stealth capabilities.
Due to its stealth capabilities, the aircraft is capable of carrying out its missions without the need for fighter escorts or radar jamming aircraft.
B-2 Spirit aircraft have most recently flown missions over Afghanistan and Iraq.
A total of 21 of the aircraft have been produced to date. One was destroyed in a take off accident on 2/23/08. Its crew ejected to safety.
On 8/26/09 the U.S.A.F. signed a contract with Northrop Grumman for US$3,440,000,000.00 through 2014. It provides for revisions and care to the B-2 Spirit fleet of
aircraft in an attempt to remedy their meager 50% mission availability rate. Typically, out of the 20 aircraft remaining in service, less than 10 are available to fly on missions at any one time.
Pictured above is the rc B-2 Spirit built by Kevin Cirolo. It has a wing span of 72.5" and is constructed from foam. Kevin powers it with two Mega 16/7/4 motors driving 66 mm Alfa fan units. Kevin tells us that its flight is very scale-like and that it looks extremely realistic when in the sky.
Nitro Planes sells the rc B-2 Spirit bomber in a variety of sizes and types of propulsion, as both a ARF and RTF.
There is a 48" wing span rc B-2 Spirit from Mega Tech. Power comes from a single pusher prop.
The first picture below is of the two channel rc B-2 Spirit bomber sold by Air Rage. It is representative of numerous ARF RC airplanes, all with variable thrust control to the motors, and no direct altitude control, save adding or lessening power. Wing spans are around 28".
If you are interested in this type of model, be aware that prices vary greatly for the same model at different retailers.
The second picture below is of the 65" wing span rc B-2 Spirit marketed by better retailers. Power comes from twin 380 motors driving EDF's. Brushless motors are recommended to deliver more performance and longer flight times.
Future Shop has a rc B-2 Spirit bomber with a 48" wing span for twin EDF power.
Air-Tech has a 40" wing span rc B-2 Spirit made of EPP foam. It is EDF propelled.
GWS sells a 35" wing span rc B-2 Spirit bomber park flyer radio control airplane with twin EDF motors for windless days or indoor flying.
The last picture on this page is the rc B-2 Spirit built by Frank Burke. Plans are available at RC Groups. It has a wing span of 60" and weighs 24 oz. ready to fly. A Grayson 2212-06 turning a 6 x 4 pusher prop powers the rc airplane.
We received the following email: "Thank you for the new leads on the rc B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber that are, or have been available. I have been in the process of highly modifying one of the MEGA Stealth’s. However I ran across a new version of the B2 coming out of China. It will be distributed by Banana Hobby.
This appears to be a very impressive foamie. Retracts, the works. You might want to check this one out and add to your site. I may buy one of them after the reviews from a few fliers hits the street. I’m back to modifying my MEGA; my intention is to
someday have an 8 to 10 foot fully working electric. A fellow in England had an interesting 8 footer - Chris Golds. This is my favorite plane. Keep up the great site.
Sincerely, Christopher Davis - STEALTHMAN"
Thank you, Christopher. The rc B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber ARF for sale by Banana Hobby has a wingspan of over 72" and includes retracts and two EDF units without motors.
If there are other rc B-2 Spirit bomber models that you can recommend, please email us about them.
Radio Control Airplane
A rc B-2 Spirit bomber from Air Rage.
Radio Control Airplane
The rc B-2 Spirit bomber.
Radio Control Airplane
A rc B-2 Spirit by Frank Burke.
Samuel Ochoa has a rc B-2 Spirit scale model airplane. It is made from EPP and has a 76" wingspan. Power comes from two 70 mm EDF's.
Riley Odowa scratch built his 36" rc B-2 Spirit bomber that uses pusher prop power from a single brushless motor.
John Strong has a rc B-2 Spirit with a wingspan of 66". Two Speed 400 type motors drive the ducted fans powering the model.
Fred Grays built a rc B-2 Spirit with a 72" wingspan. It has twin pusher prop power.
Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit
