Kamis, 28 Agustus 2008

Guided and Unguided Weapons





Advanced Russian AAMs

Air Power is implicitly tied to the available weapons technology base. No more is this visible in the area of guided weapons, which have evolved very rapidly over the last three decades, and can be expected to further evolve in the future. The large scale adoption of late generation Russian guided munitions in the Asia-Pacific-Indian region has had a large impact on the relative strategic position of regional nations.

This website will post a selection of relevant articles, submissions and papers.

























Cruise Mssile Related Articles

Australian Aviation - September/November 1985 - Cruise Missiles (AGM-86/RGM-109)
Australian Aviation - July 1988 - Maritime Strike - The Soviet Perspective
Australian Aviation - November 1995 - Tomahawks, Submarines and the F-111 , Mirror@F-111.net
Australian Aviation - September 2000 - Sunburns, Yakhonts, Alfas and the Region [PDF]
Defence Today - September 2004 - AIR 5418 Cruise Missiles [PDF]
Australian Aviation - October 2004 - Defeating Cruise missiles [PDF]
Australian Aviation - December 2004 - Cruise Missile Options for Australia (AIR 5418) [PDF]
Air Power Australia - July 2005 - Early Tomahawk Variants - BGM/RGM/AGM-109 Tomahawk/GCLM/MRASM
Radio 2 - National - 02-March-2006 - JASSM Introduction - Interview

Air to Air Weapons Articles

Australian Aviation - March 1982 - Heat-Seeking Missile Guidance
Australian Aviation - June 1982 - Active and Semi-Active Radar Missile Guidance
Australian Aviation - September 1986 - Quo Vadis - AMRAAM?
Australian Aviation - July 1987 - Evading the Guided Missile
Australian Aviation - April 1994 - The Sidewinder Story - The Evolution of the AIM-9 Missile , Mirror@FTA
Australian Aviation - June 1994 - BAe Active Skyflash and AIM-120 AMRAAM
Australian Aviation - April 1997 - Fourth Generation AAMs - The Rafael Python 4 , Mirror@FTA
Australian Aviation - 1997 - Fourth Generation AAMs - The Matra-BAe AIM-132 ASRAAM
Air Power International - Vol.4. No.4 1998 - Matra-BAe AIM-132 ASRAAM - The RAAF's New WVR AAM
Defence Today - May 2005 - Missiles in the Asia-Pacific [PDF]
Air Power Australia - March 2008 - The Russian Philosophy of Beyond Visual Range Air Combat

Russian Electrooptical, Laser and Satellite/Inertial Bomb Kits - Click for more ...

Air Defence Weapons Articles

Australian Aviation - July 1989 - Man Portable Surface-Air Missiles
Australian Aviation - December 2003 - Man Portable Missiles vs Airliners (AIAA Mirror, aircraft-survivability.com Mirror)
Australian Aviation - June/July/August 1993 - Desert Storm - The Electronic Battle , Mirror@FTA
Australian Aviation - October 1995 - 76N6 Clam Shell Acquisition Radar Revealed
Australian Aviation - October 2003 - Asia's New SAMs Pt.1
Australian Aviation - November 2003 - Asia's New SAMs Pt.2
Defence Today - June 2004 - SEA 4000 - The Air Warfare Destroyer (PDF)
Australian Aviation - March 2005 - Are Helicopters Vulnerable [MANPADS/RPG]



Weapon Targeting Technology Articles

Australian Aviation - September 1982 - Integrated Flight and Fire Control (IFFC Firefly)
Australian Aviation - November 1989/December 1990 - Optical Warfare - The New Frontier
Australian Aviation - June 1997 - SAR/GMTI - Revolution in Bombing Technology
Air Power International - August 1998 - Helmet Mounted Sights and Displays
Australian Aviation - Series 1999 - Quo Vadis, RAAF? Part 1 The Strategic Context Part 2 The ADF's Alternatives
Australian Aviation - Series 1999 - Deedle, Deedle, Deedle, BANG! The Paradigm Shift in Air Superiority
Australian Aviation - Series 1999 - Measures of Fighter Capability Parts 1 - 3
Australian Aviation - June 2000 - Maritime Deterrence, Submarines and Air Power
Australian Aviation - June 2002 - Active Electronically Steered Arrays - A Maturing Technology
Australian Aviation - April 2003 - A Heavy Bomber Rennaissance?

Guided and Unguided Weapons



Advanced Russian AAMs

Air Power is implicitly tied to the available weapons technology base. No more is this visible in the area of guided weapons, which have evolved very rapidly over the last three decades, and can be expected to further evolve in the future. The large scale adoption of late generation Russian guided munitions in the Asia-Pacific-Indian region has had a large impact on the relative strategic position of regional nations.

This website will post a selection of relevant articles, submissions and papers.


Air to Surface Weapons Articles

Australian Aviation - September 1981 - Laser Guidance
Australian Aviation - June/September 1983 - Antishipping Weapons and Naval Air Defence
Australian Aviation - September 1984 - Precision Guided Munitions - The New Breed (Assault Breaker)
Australian Aviation - March 1988 - MDC AGM-84A Harpoon and AGM-84E SLAM
Australian Aviation - May 1988 - Rockwell AGM-130A/B and Northrop AGM-136A Tacit Rainbow
Australian Aviation - July 1992 - Desert Storm - Precision Guided Munitions
Australian Aviation - Revised 1998 - The GBU-28 Bunker Buster (Mirror@F-111.net , German Translation)
Air Power International - Vol.4. No.1 1998 - The AGM-88 HARM, Mirror@F-111.net
Australian Aviation - December 1996 - AGM-142E Raptor - The RAAF's New Standoff Weapon, Mirror@F-111.net
Australian Aviation - August-December 1996, 1997 - GPS Guided Weapons Part I through V, Mirror@F-111.net
Australian Aviation - June 1996 - The Agile Gliding Weapon (AWADI/BAeA Aussie Glidebomb), Mirror@F-111.net
Australian Aviation - June 1997 - Matra/BAe ALARM + Matra Armat
Australian Aviation - December 2002/January-February 2003 - JDAM Matures - Parts 1 and 2
Australian Aviation - July 2004 - Asia's Advanced Precision Guided Munitions
Air Power Australia - July 2005 - Warship Vulnerability
Air Power Australia - July 2006 - Dawn of the Smart Bomb
Air & Space Power Chronicles, Maxwell AFB - 1995 - The Electromagnetic Bomb - a Weapon of Electrical Mass Destruction - Russian Translation Part 1, Russian Translation Part 2, Mirror@GlobalSecurity.org
Air & Space Power Chronicles, Maxwell AFB - July 2000 - EXPANDING THE ENVELOPE - Stealth and Other Strike Roles
Air Power Australia - January 2007 - GBU-39/40/42 Small Diameter Bomb
Air Power Australia - January 2007 - Regional Precision Guided Munitions
Air Power Australia - April 2007 - Maritime Strike using the F-22A Raptor
Defence Today - January/February 2008 - Chemical and Biological Weapons [PDF]

Cruise Missile Related Articles

Australian Aviation - September/November 1985 - Cruise Missiles (AGM-86/RGM-109)
Australian Aviation - July 1988 - Maritime Strike - The Soviet Perspective
Australian Aviation - November 1995 - Tomahawks, Submarines and the F-111 , Mirror@F-111.net
Australian Aviation - September 2000 - Sunburns, Yakhonts, Alfas and the Region [PDF]
Defence Today - September 2004 - AIR 5418 Cruise Missiles [PDF]
Australian Aviation - October 2004 - Defeating Cruise missiles [PDF]
Australian Aviation - December 2004 - Cruise Missile Options for Australia (AIR 5418) [PDF]
Air Power Australia - July 2005 - Early Tomahawk Variants - BGM/RGM/AGM-109 Tomahawk/GCLM/MRASM
Radio 2 - National - 02-March-2006 - JASSM Introduction - Interview

Air to Air Weapons Articles

Australian Aviation - March 1982 - Heat-Seeking Missile Guidance
Australian Aviation - June 1982 - Active and Semi-Active Radar Missile Guidance
Australian Aviation - September 1986 - Quo Vadis - AMRAAM?
Australian Aviation - July 1987 - Evading the Guided Missile
Australian Aviation - April 1994 - The Sidewinder Story - The Evolution of the AIM-9 Missile , Mirror@FTA
Australian Aviation - June 1994 - BAe Active Skyflash and AIM-120 AMRAAM
Australian Aviation - April 1997 - Fourth Generation AAMs - The Rafael Python 4 , Mirror@FTA
Australian Aviation - 1997 - Fourth Generation AAMs - The Matra-BAe AIM-132 ASRAAM
Air Power International - Vol.4. No.4 1998 - Matra-BAe AIM-132 ASRAAM - The RAAF's New WVR AAM
Defence Today - May 2005 - Missiles in the Asia-Pacific [PDF]
Air Power Australia - March 2008 - The Russian Philosophy of Beyond Visual Range Air Combat

Russian Electrooptical, Laser and Satellite/Inertial Bomb Kits - Click for more ...

Air Defence Weapons Articles

Australian Aviation - July 1989 - Man Portable Surface-Air Missiles
Australian Aviation - December 2003 - Man Portable Missiles vs Airliners (AIAA Mirror, aircraft-survivability.com Mirror)
Australian Aviation - June/July/August 1993 - Desert Storm - The Electronic Battle , Mirror@FTA
Australian Aviation - October 1995 - 76N6 Clam Shell Acquisition Radar Revealed
Australian Aviation - October 2003 - Asia's New SAMs Pt.1
Australian Aviation - November 2003 - Asia's New SAMs Pt.2
Defence Today - June 2004 - SEA 4000 - The Air Warfare Destroyer (PDF)
Australian Aviation - March 2005 - Are Helicopters Vulnerable [MANPADS/RPG]



Weapon Targeting Technology Articles

Australian Aviation - September 1982 - Integrated Flight and Fire Control (IFFC Firefly)
Australian Aviation - November 1989/December 1990 - Optical Warfare - The New Frontier
Australian Aviation - June 1997 - SAR/GMTI - Revolution in Bombing Technology
Air Power International - August 1998 - Helmet Mounted Sights and Displays
Australian Aviation - Series 1999 - Quo Vadis, RAAF? Part 1 The Strategic Context Part 2 The ADF's Alternatives
Australian Aviation - Series 1999 - Deedle, Deedle, Deedle, BANG! The Paradigm Shift in Air Superiority
Australian Aviation - Series 1999 - Measures of Fighter Capability Parts 1 - 3
Australian Aviation - June 2000 - Maritime Deterrence, Submarines and Air Power
Australian Aviation - June 2002 - Active Electronically Steered Arrays - A Maturing Technology
Australian Aviation - April 2003 - A Heavy Bomber Rennaissance?

Sukhoi Flankers



Background
It is unfortunate that since 911 the ongoing media spectacle of the Global War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom have diverted the public and media focus in Australia away from happenings in the nearer region. In recent years several important developments have taken place, with Malaysia and Indonesia signing contracts for and taking delivery of, respectively, their first top-tier Sukhoi Su-30 fighters, and India establishing production of its first fully configured Su-30MKI aircraft. While these developments were expected, they represent an ongoing change in regional aerospace power and capabilities which Australia should not choose to ignore.

Some defence analysts in Canberra have argued vocally in the media that the Global War on Terror demands that Australia fundamentally restructure its basic strategic doctrine and indeed reshape its force structure. It is proposed that the needs of coalition warfighting in distant locations should take precedence over the Defence of Australia in the nation's force structuring and funding priorities. Media comments attacking established doctrine and ridiculing it as 'Fortress Australia Policy' suggest that this perspective is more popular than one might imagine.

Such reasoning is dangerous and ill informed - reflecting on the part of most protagonists of this view a weak if not wholly absent understanding of modern air power and its implicit strategic influence. To better understand how foolish this point of view actually is, we must explore more closely the capabilities of the latest Sukhoi fighters and their inherent longer term growth potential.

This analysis is an updated and greatly expanded derivative of the two part series published in 2003 (see Resources).


Sukhoi Su-30 Derivatives

The early history of the Su-27 family of fighters has been widely documented, and some excellent references exist (Andrei Fomin's Su-27 Flanker Story published by RA Intervestnik is arguably the single best printed reference, while Easy Tartar's reference at the Fighter Tactics Academy is the best website).

The original design aim of the Perspektivnyy Frontovoy Istrebitel (PFI - Future Tactical Fighter) was to kill the US Air Force's then new F-15A, and both the Sukhoi and Mikoyan bureaus submitted designs. The Sukhoi T-10 concept emerged in the early 1970s, and was conceptually closest to a fusion of the fixed wing Grumman VFX-404 configuration with the blended strake/wing/body configuration of the GD LWF demonstrator, later to become the F-16A. From the outset the design was to use various combinations of mechanical-hydraulic and Fly By Wire (FBW) controls with some reduced static stability to achieve exceptional manoeuvrability. The early T-10-1 demonstrator evolved into the current T-10-15/Su-27 configuration through an almost complete but necessary redesign during the early eighties. The result has been the most aerodynamically refined of all of the third generation fighters. Like the MDC F-15A, the basic design was devised from the outset to accommodate both single and dual seat configurations. The Su-27UBK tandem dual trainer airframe became the basis of the Su-30 series.

Jumat, 08 Agustus 2008

B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, USA

key facts

Key Data

Wingspan

172ft

Height

17ft

Length

69ft

Flying Wing Configuration

Composite materials

Maximum Take-Off Weight

336,000lb

Payload

40,000lb

Full specifications


Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The B-2 is a low-observable, strategic, long-range, heavy bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defence shields. It is capable of all-altitude attack missions up to 50,000ft, with a range of more than 6,000nm unrefuelled and over 10,000nm with one refuelling, giving it the ability to fly to any point in the world within hours.

"The B-2 is a low-observable, strategic, long-range, heavy bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defence shields."

Its distinctive profile comes from the unique 'flying wing' construction. The leading edges of the wings are angled at 33° and the trailing edge has a double-W shape. It is manufactured at the Northrop Grumman facilities in Pico Rivera and Palmdale in California.

21 B-2s have been delivered to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, the first in December 1993. In the first three years of service, the operational B-2s achieved a sortie reliability rate of 90%. An assessment published by the USAF showed that two B-2s armed with precision weaponry can do the job of 75 conventional aircraft.

A new transportable hangar system has been developed which allows the B-2 to be deployed to forward locations overseas. The hangars are 126ft long, 250ft wide and 55ft high. The first of these hangars has been erected on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Prior to this development, B-2s had to return to Whiteman AFB after missions, for maintenance of the aircraft's stealth features. The B-2 was thus deployed for the first time during Operation Iraqi Freedom in March / April 2003. In March 2005, a B-2 squadron was deployed for the first time to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in support of the USAF Pacific Command.

On 23 February 2008, a B-2 crashed shortly after take-off from Andersen AFB in Guam, the first crash in the aircraft's history. The two pilots ejected safely from the aircraft, which was not carrying munitions. A USAF investigation into the causes of the crash is underway. The B-2 fleet was grounded pending the results of the investigation but was returned to service in April 2008. A USAF investigation released an accident report in June 2008 which concluded that the crash was caused by moisture in the port transducer units. These sensors sent distorted information to the air data system.

Northrop Grumman has developed a new radar-absorbent coating to preserve the B-2's stealth characteristics while drastically reducing maintenance time. The new material, known as Alternate High-Frequency Material (AHFM), is sprayed on by four independently controlled robots.

The B-2, after ten years of service, finally achieved full operational capability in December 2003.

COCKPIT

The cockpit accommodates two crew. It is equipped with a colour, nine-tube, Electronic Flight Instrumentation System (EFIS), which displays flight, engine and sensor data and avionics systems and weapons status.

The pilot can choose to activate the appropriate selection of flight and mission equipment for take-off mode, go-to-war mode and landing mode by using a simple three-way switch.

WEAPONS

The aircraft carries all its weapons internally and is fitted with two separate weapons bays in the centre of the aircraft. The B-2 has the capacity to carry up to 40,000lb of weapons, including conventional and nuclear weapons, precision-guided munitions, gravity bombs and a range of maritime weapons.

"A new transportable hangar system allows the B-2 to be deployed to forward locations overseas."

Each weapons bay is equipped with a rotary launcher and two bomb-rack assemblies. In tests, the B-2 successfully released B-61 and B-83 nuclear and Mk 84 conventional bombs from the rotary rocket launcher, and Mk-82 and CBU-87 conventional weapons from the bomb racks. The B61-11 is an earth-penetrating nuclear bomb for use against deeply buried and hardened targets. The B83 is a strategic free-fall nuclear bomb. The B-2 can also carry the AGM-129 advanced cruise missile, which is a strategic cruise missile with a range estimated at up to 1,500 miles.

16 satellite-guided JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) missiles can be carried. Northrop Grumman is converting the B-2 bomb rack assembly to a new 'smart' configuration, which will increase the number of JDAMs which can be carried to a maximum of 80. The aircraft will also be fitted with the Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW), Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missiles (JASSM) and the Wind Compensated Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) and will be able to carry up to 80 115kg Small Diameter Bombs (SDB).

In June 2007, Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract to integrate the Boeing Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) weapon on the B-2. The MOP is GPS-guided, contains 2,400kg (5,300lb) of explosive and is designed to penetrate hardened, deeply buried targets. B-2 is capable of carrying two MOP weapons, one in each weapons bay.

A Generic Weapons Interface System (GWIS) has been fitted as part of the block 30 upgrade. The GWIS is an integrated digital software package, which allows the B-2 to carry different mixes of stand-off weapons and direct attack munitions on a single sortie, enabling the aircraft to attack up to four different types of targets on a single mission.

Under a contract awarded to Northrop Grumman in February 2008, the USAF has begun a programme to give the B-2 the capability to attack moving targets, using precision-guided weapons such as the Small Diameter Bomb II. The contract involves the upgrade of displays and radar modes.

COUNTERMEASURES

The B-2 carries a Lockheed Martin radar warning receiver, a Northrop Grumman defensive aids system and the Lockheed Martin AN/APR-50 Defensive Management System (DMS).

RADAR

The Raytheon AN/APQ-181 covert strike radar, operating at J-band (Ku-band), is a multi-purpose radar with terrain following and terrain avoidance modes. Testing at Edwards Air Force Base has demonstrated reliable terrain following at altitudes down to 200ft.

In November 2002, Raytheon was awarded a contract to develop a new Ku-band AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) antenna for the B-2 radar to avoid interference with commercial satellite systems after 2007. Flight tests with new radar began in October 2007 and will continue in 2008. Installation of the new antenna on the B-2 fleet is to be completed by 2010.

NAVIGATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

The B-2's navigation suite includes a Rockwell Collins TCN-250 Tactical Air Navigation system (TACAN) and a VIR-130A instument landing system.

"The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber has the capacity to carry up to 40,000lb of weapons, including conventional and nuclear weapons."

The communications equipment is supplied by Rockwell Collins. A Milstar military strategic and tactical relay satellite communications system is installed in block 30 aircraft.

The aircraft have been upgraded with Link 16 communications link.

ENGINE

The aircraft is powered by four General Electric F118-GE-100 turbofan engines internally mounted in the body of the wings. The engines have an exhaust temperature control system to minimise thermal signature.

The engines, rated at 77kN, provide a high subsonic speed and a maximum gross take-off weight of 336,500lb. In-flight refuelling gear is installed in the top centre line of the aircraft behind the cockpit.



Expand Image
The B-2 can respond from domestic US bases to conflicts anywhere in the world within hours.




Expand Image
The B-2 is considered the most survivable aircraft ever built.




Expand Image
B-2s have successfully released bomb shapes from the rotary launcher and conventional weapons from bomb-rack assemblies.




Expand Image
The aerodynamic design of B-2 incorporated computational fluid dynamics (CFD).




Expand Image
Flight testing has encompassed 100% of the air refuelling envelope with the KC-135 and KC-10 tankers.




Expand Image
The Fire and Ice nose-art prominently displayed on a B-2.




Expand Image
The cockpit is equipped with a colour, nine-tube, electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS)




Expand Image
Northrop Grumman has delivered over 20 B-2's to the US Air Force.


B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, USA

key facts
Key Data
Wingspan
172ft
Height
17ft
Length
69ft
Flying Wing Configuration
Composite materials
Maximum Take-Off Weight
336,000lb
Payload
40,000lb

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The B-2 is a low-observable, strategic, long-range, heavy bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defence shields. It is capable of all-altitude attack missions up to 50,000ft, with a range of more than 6,000nm unrefuelled and over 10,000nm with one refuelling, giving it the ability to fly to any point in the world within hours.

"The B-2 is a low-observable, strategic, long-range, heavy bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defence shields."

Its distinctive profile comes from the unique 'flying wing' construction. The leading edges of the wings are angled at 33° and the trailing edge has a double-W shape. It is manufactured at the Northrop Grumman facilities in Pico Rivera and Palmdale in California.

21 B-2s have been delivered to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, the first in December 1993. In the first three years of service, the operational B-2s achieved a sortie reliability rate of 90%. An assessment published by the USAF showed that two B-2s armed with precision weaponry can do the job of 75 conventional aircraft.

A new transportable hangar system has been developed which allows the B-2 to be deployed to forward locations overseas. The hangars are 126ft long, 250ft wide and 55ft high. The first of these hangars has been erected on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Prior to this development, B-2s had to return to Whiteman AFB after missions, for maintenance of the aircraft's stealth features. The B-2 was thus deployed for the first time during Operation Iraqi Freedom in March / April 2003. In March 2005, a B-2 squadron was deployed for the first time to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in support of the USAF Pacific Command.

On 23 February 2008, a B-2 crashed shortly after take-off from Andersen AFB in Guam, the first crash in the aircraft's history. The two pilots ejected safely from the aircraft, which was not carrying munitions. A USAF investigation into the causes of the crash is underway. The B-2 fleet was grounded pending the results of the investigation but was returned to service in April 2008. A USAF investigation released an accident report in June 2008 which concluded that the crash was caused by moisture in the port transducer units. These sensors sent distorted information to the air data system.

Northrop Grumman has developed a new radar-absorbent coating to preserve the B-2's stealth characteristics while drastically reducing maintenance time. The new material, known as Alternate High-Frequency Material (AHFM), is sprayed on by four independently controlled robots.

The B-2, after ten years of service, finally achieved full operational capability in December 2003.

COCKPIT

The cockpit accommodates two crew. It is equipped with a colour, nine-tube, Electronic Flight Instrumentation System (EFIS), which displays flight, engine and sensor data and avionics systems and weapons status.

The pilot can choose to activate the appropriate selection of flight and mission equipment for take-off mode, go-to-war mode and landing mode by using a simple three-way switch.

WEAPONS

The aircraft carries all its weapons internally and is fitted with two separate weapons bays in the centre of the aircraft. The B-2 has the capacity to carry up to 40,000lb of weapons, including conventional and nuclear weapons, precision-guided munitions, gravity bombs and a range of maritime weapons.

"A new transportable hangar system allows the B-2 to be deployed to forward locations overseas."

Each weapons bay is equipped with a rotary launcher and two bomb-rack assemblies. In tests, the B-2 successfully released B-61 and B-83 nuclear and Mk 84 conventional bombs from the rotary rocket launcher, and Mk-82 and CBU-87 conventional weapons from the bomb racks. The B61-11 is an earth-penetrating nuclear bomb for use against deeply buried and hardened targets. The B83 is a strategic free-fall nuclear bomb. The B-2 can also carry the AGM-129 advanced cruise missile, which is a strategic cruise missile with a range estimated at up to 1,500 miles.

16 satellite-guided JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) missiles can be carried. Northrop Grumman is converting the B-2 bomb rack assembly to a new 'smart' configuration, which will increase the number of JDAMs which can be carried to a maximum of 80. The aircraft will also be fitted with the Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW), Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missiles (JASSM) and the Wind Compensated Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) and will be able to carry up to 80 115kg Small Diameter Bombs (SDB).

In June 2007, Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract to integrate the Boeing Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) weapon on the B-2. The MOP is GPS-guided, contains 2,400kg (5,300lb) of explosive and is designed to penetrate hardened, deeply buried targets. B-2 is capable of carrying two MOP weapons, one in each weapons bay.

A Generic Weapons Interface System (GWIS) has been fitted as part of the block 30 upgrade. The GWIS is an integrated digital software package, which allows the B-2 to carry different mixes of stand-off weapons and direct attack munitions on a single sortie, enabling the aircraft to attack up to four different types of targets on a single mission.

Under a contract awarded to Northrop Grumman in February 2008, the USAF has begun a programme to give the B-2 the capability to attack moving targets, using precision-guided weapons such as the Small Diameter Bomb II. The contract involves the upgrade of displays and radar modes.

COUNTERMEASURES

The B-2 carries a Lockheed Martin radar warning receiver, a Northrop Grumman defensive aids system and the Lockheed Martin AN/APR-50 Defensive Management System (DMS).

RADAR

The Raytheon AN/APQ-181 covert strike radar, operating at J-band (Ku-band), is a multi-purpose radar with terrain following and terrain avoidance modes. Testing at Edwards Air Force Base has demonstrated reliable terrain following at altitudes down to 200ft.

In November 2002, Raytheon was awarded a contract to develop a new Ku-band AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) antenna for the B-2 radar to avoid interference with commercial satellite systems after 2007. Flight tests with new radar began in October 2007 and will continue in 2008. Installation of the new antenna on the B-2 fleet is to be completed by 2010.

NAVIGATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

The B-2's navigation suite includes a Rockwell Collins TCN-250 Tactical Air Navigation system (TACAN) and a VIR-130A instument landing system.

"The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber has the capacity to carry up to 40,000lb of weapons, including conventional and nuclear weapons."

The communications equipment is supplied by Rockwell Collins. A Milstar military strategic and tactical relay satellite communications system is installed in block 30 aircraft.

The aircraft have been upgraded with Link 16 communications link.

ENGINE

The aircraft is powered by four General Electric F118-GE-100 turbofan engines internally mounted in the body of the wings. The engines have an exhaust temperature control system to minimise thermal signature.

The engines, rated at 77kN, provide a high subsonic speed and a maximum gross take-off weight of 336,500lb. In-flight refuelling gear is installed in the top centre line of the aircraft behind the cockpit.



Expand Image Expand Image
The B-2 can respond from domestic US bases to conflicts anywhere in the world within hours.



Expand Image Expand Image
The B-2 is considered the most survivable aircraft ever built.



Expand Image Expand Image
B-2s have successfully released bomb shapes from the rotary launcher and conventional weapons from bomb-rack assemblies.



Expand Image Expand Image
The aerodynamic design of B-2 incorporated computational fluid dynamics (CFD).



Expand Image Expand Image
Flight testing has encompassed 100% of the air refuelling envelope with the KC-135 and KC-10 tankers.



Expand Image Expand Image
The Fire and Ice nose-art prominently displayed on a B-2.



Expand Image Expand Image
The cockpit is equipped with a colour, nine-tube, electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS)



Expand Image Expand Image
Northrop Grumman has delivered over 20 B-2's to the US Air Force.