NOTE: THE RC B-2 MAY BE FOUND ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE
PAGE.
The B-2, produced by Northrop Grumman 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 B-2 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 is constantly being upgraded and
improved. In 2009 the bombers received the latest radar
upgrades.
The original concept of the
B-2 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 B-2 is capable of carrying out its missions
without the need for fighter escorts or radar jamming aircraft.
B-2 aircraft have most recently flown
missions over Afghanistan and Iraq.
A
total of 21 B-2 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 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 built by Kevin Cirolo. It has a wingspan 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.
NitroPlanes has the rc B-2 for sale in a variety of sizes and types
of propulsion, as both a ARF and RTF.
There is a 48" wingspan rc B-2 from Mega Tech. Power comes
from a single pusher prop.
The first picture below is of the two channel rc B-2 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 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 with a 48" wingspan for twin EDF power.
Air-Tech has a 40" wingspan rc B-2 made of EPP foam. It is EDF propelled.
GWS sells a 35" wingspan rc B-2 shown in the fourth picture below. It is a park flyer radio control airplane with twin EDF motors that weighs around 17 oz. It is best flown on windless days or indoors.
The last picture on this page is the rc B-2 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 that are, or have
been available. I have been in the process of highly modifying one of
the MEGA Stealths. However I ran across a new version of the rc B-2
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 a rc B-2 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 foot rc B-2 - Chris Golds. This is my favorite plane. Keep up the great site.
Sincerely, Christopher Davis -
STEALTHMAN"
Thank you, Christopher. The rc B-2 for sale by
Banana Hobby has a wingspan of over 72" and includes
retracts and two EDF units without motors. You can find it in the last picture on this page.
If there are other rc B-2 models that you can recommend, please
email us about them.
RC B-2
A rc B-2 from Air Rage.
RC B-2
The rc
B-2 from the front.
RC B-2
A rc B-2 by Frank Burke.
RC B-2
The rc B-2 from GWS.
RC B-2
Banana Hobby rc B-2.
Samuel
Ochoa has a rc B-2. 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 that uses pusher prop power from a single
brushless motor.
John Strong has a rc B-2 with a wingspan of 66". Two Speed 400 type motors
drive the ducted fans powering the model.
Fred Grays built a rc B-2 with a 72" wingspan. It has twin pusher prop power.
Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit
