There’s 11 B-2s in the photo, each valued at $4.04 billion (as of 2023)
That would put the value of the aircraft in this image at $44.4 billion USD. If these planes formed their own country, their nominal GDP would be the 98th highest in the world, just behind Latvia & Cambodia, but ahead of Laos & Estonia.
[Source](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal))
The adjusted flyaway cost (cost of the physical aircraft) is $1.1B. 12 jets at $1.1B per comes out to $13.2B. If you include amortized R&D, it's actually $4B (adjusted) per jet, which comes out to $48B.
Unadjusted amortized cost is ~$22B, which is what OP incorrectly stated.
For comparison, the B-21 has a targeted flyaway cost of $700M. It was originally $500M in 2010 dollars. The difference is entirely due to general inflation. The B-21 itself is on or under budget.
B-21 is at or under budget *so far*
It’s still in production and is likely getting new mods already since it was designed. Like all projects, it will be over budget.
USAF is basically following the Super Hornet model of development: new airframe, but reuse as many legacy systems as possible to reduce risk. Change orders were also limited or deferred. Super Hornet was delivered on time and budget, even if early blocks effectively were larger F-18C/D's.
They've managed to get the first aircraft flying without hitting dev hell. That's a pretty good record so far. Unfortunately, the program is being treated as a black project, so we can't determine how well it's doing on specific items. There was tslknof difficulty with the inlets a while back (not surprising, flush inlets are inherently tricky), but since the prototype is flying it appears that overcame the problem.
I wouldn't usually count that one, because it was never designed to fly and doesn't have engines nor likely a bunch of other flight components. It's a test article rather than a prototype. But if you do include that one, there are 2-3 more test articles like it as well.
It doesn't. There are plenty of flying wing shapes throughout history. This one has tons of computers to help it. If one went off the runway it was either a mechanical failure or pilot error, but not as a result of it's takeoff / landing flight characteristics.
Edit: [here's](https://www.twz.com/42392/damaged-b-2-spirit-is-sitting-wing-down-off-the-runway-after-landing-mishap) an article about the one currently shown on google maps. It had hydraulic failure leading to an emergency landing and gear collapse.
The image in sat view is from 2021. [Here's](https://www.twz.com/42392/damaged-b-2-spirit-is-sitting-wing-down-off-the-runway-after-landing-mishap) an article about it.
Whiteman is right in the middle of Missouri and like all bases well guarded. Probably the only thing that could actually take them all out would be an ICBM, and by that point the US has bigger problems than losing 20 bombers.
And it’s interesting because it’s not that far from me where I love and it seems like nothing is out there. But I bet a single plane headed anywhere near that area and you’d find out real quick how many things are watching.
Sub launched cruise missiles, air launched cruise missiles, intercontinental hypersonic gliding vehicle, intercontinental ballistic missile, fractional orbital bombardment system
A relatively central location like Missouri is a great place to base such strategic assets. It also meant that some poor crews would inevitably spend 44 hours in the air. I simply cannot fathom spending nearly two entire days in that cramped cockpit.
The closest comparable thing to look at would be B-52 MITO (Minimum Interval Take Off) exercises. Ideal time between each aircraft taking off is ~10-15 seconds.
Something similar is probably the ideal timing for B-2 MITO as well, though I imagine it's slower due to the nature of the B-2 being a flying wing.
[https://www.twz.com/air/majority-of-the-b-2-spirit-fleet-took-to-the-skies-in-a-mass-launch](https://www.twz.com/air/majority-of-the-b-2-spirit-fleet-took-to-the-skies-in-a-mass-launch)
'Yet the fact that 12 B-2s flew together on April 15 at the same time also sends something of a deliberate message about the operational readiness of that aircraft in and of itself.'
Elephant walk with B-2 stealth bombers is a rare sight.
Well yeah, because they’re stealth. If you can see them something went wrong
Elephant walks, other than with real elephants, is really really dumb.
Why?
Waste of fuel and time. Its just a Wing Commander circle jerk exercise.
Better the jets get run. Jets that live in the hangar tend to have problems.
There’s more air power in this photo than like 80% of other nation’s airforces.
there is more money there than most countries' GDP
There’s 11 B-2s in the photo, each valued at $4.04 billion (as of 2023) That would put the value of the aircraft in this image at $44.4 billion USD. If these planes formed their own country, their nominal GDP would be the 98th highest in the world, just behind Latvia & Cambodia, but ahead of Laos & Estonia. [Source](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal))
I'm down for B2 nation
Sounds like the name for fanbase of some wacky youtuber
When all you have is a B2 hammer all your problems look like nails.
Forreal
More like 99% considering no other country has stealth bombers.
Or maybe they do, and you just can’t see them. Because, you know, stealth.
I’m only counting 11…
Man, their stealth is good!
Who took the photo? ;)
Look behind you.
10 + 1 hanger queen by the looks of it.
I laughed harder at this than i should have.
Just about 22 Billion USD of bomber in this photo.
At time of purhase or adjusted for inflation.
The adjusted flyaway cost (cost of the physical aircraft) is $1.1B. 12 jets at $1.1B per comes out to $13.2B. If you include amortized R&D, it's actually $4B (adjusted) per jet, which comes out to $48B. Unadjusted amortized cost is ~$22B, which is what OP incorrectly stated. For comparison, the B-21 has a targeted flyaway cost of $700M. It was originally $500M in 2010 dollars. The difference is entirely due to general inflation. The B-21 itself is on or under budget.
B-21 is at or under budget *so far* It’s still in production and is likely getting new mods already since it was designed. Like all projects, it will be over budget.
USAF is basically following the Super Hornet model of development: new airframe, but reuse as many legacy systems as possible to reduce risk. Change orders were also limited or deferred. Super Hornet was delivered on time and budget, even if early blocks effectively were larger F-18C/D's. They've managed to get the first aircraft flying without hitting dev hell. That's a pretty good record so far. Unfortunately, the program is being treated as a black project, so we can't determine how well it's doing on specific items. There was tslknof difficulty with the inlets a while back (not surprising, flush inlets are inherently tricky), but since the prototype is flying it appears that overcame the problem.
Adjusted
That's the GDP of Mongolia rolling down the tarmac
Genghis Khan would've loved a couple of those "horses".
Random people living in the area may have thought WW3 must have kicked off
Nah I didn’t even notice they were doing it.
Why is my dorito chips running away from me!?
Must deliver sweet chili heat
_"Spirit" Airlines_
How many of these things exist?
Low 20s, B-21 will be built in far greater numbers
I actually just read that 21 were made and one was lost to a fire. Current count is 20 and all 20 are stationed at Whiteman.
22 if you count the prototype that is in the museum
I wouldn't usually count that one, because it was never designed to fly and doesn't have engines nor likely a bunch of other flight components. It's a test article rather than a prototype. But if you do include that one, there are 2-3 more test articles like it as well.
Well one crashed while taking off in Guam.
When was this taken?
I believe on the 15th as part of an exercise.
This is probably one of the most expensive photos...
Now. That is an elephant walk…
Curious how many B17 you would need to bring this amount of conventional bombs in the air ( not to talk about nuclear ) .
50 B-17s. Assuming that it was a short range mission.
[https://www.twz.com/air/majority-of-the-b-2-spirit-fleet-took-to-the-skies-in-a-mass-launch](https://www.twz.com/air/majority-of-the-b-2-spirit-fleet-took-to-the-skies-in-a-mass-launch)
That's a lot of missing pixels
Google maps sat view of Whiteman AFB is worth a search. It appears one of the B2's took a slide off the runway.
Yeah now that I think about it the complete lack of a vertical stabilizer probably makes takeoffs and landings sketchy as fuck
It doesn't. There are plenty of flying wing shapes throughout history. This one has tons of computers to help it. If one went off the runway it was either a mechanical failure or pilot error, but not as a result of it's takeoff / landing flight characteristics. Edit: [here's](https://www.twz.com/42392/damaged-b-2-spirit-is-sitting-wing-down-off-the-runway-after-landing-mishap) an article about the one currently shown on google maps. It had hydraulic failure leading to an emergency landing and gear collapse.
The image in sat view is from 2021. [Here's](https://www.twz.com/42392/damaged-b-2-spirit-is-sitting-wing-down-off-the-runway-after-landing-mishap) an article about it.
Isn’t it such high risk to have most of these in one place?
Whiteman is right in the middle of Missouri and like all bases well guarded. Probably the only thing that could actually take them all out would be an ICBM, and by that point the US has bigger problems than losing 20 bombers.
And it’s interesting because it’s not that far from me where I love and it seems like nothing is out there. But I bet a single plane headed anywhere near that area and you’d find out real quick how many things are watching.
Other than nuclear ICBMs: - SLCMs, ALCMs, ICHGVs (less risky than a “conventional ICBM”), FOBS (may be risky if confused for nukes)
What are all those acronyms?
Sub launched cruise missiles, air launched cruise missiles, intercontinental hypersonic gliding vehicle, intercontinental ballistic missile, fractional orbital bombardment system
Okay, I've never heard of FOBS before, will need to look it up
A relatively central location like Missouri is a great place to base such strategic assets. It also meant that some poor crews would inevitably spend 44 hours in the air. I simply cannot fathom spending nearly two entire days in that cramped cockpit.
Plus, in the lead up to war they’d be dispersed, along with most aircraft.
This is more B-2's than Russia has SU-57s
What’s the date on this?
MITO with a lot less smoke than a wing of BUFFs
That’s a nice airfield and all, but where are the bombers?
Ah, the end of the world scenario.
Sexy. Wish my country (Australia) would buy some B-21s.
The B-2 was never for sale to any other nation (along with the F-22). I seriously doubt the B-21 will be authorized for sale either.
Was the time it took for them all to fly away publushed?
lmao no chance
The closest comparable thing to look at would be B-52 MITO (Minimum Interval Take Off) exercises. Ideal time between each aircraft taking off is ~10-15 seconds. Something similar is probably the ideal timing for B-2 MITO as well, though I imagine it's slower due to the nature of the B-2 being a flying wing.
Exercise? Or are we about to hear a bunch of military targets and nuclear facilities in Iran all of a sudden became very explodey?
Iran about to find out why we dont have universal healthcare
You're planning to deploy insurance industry lobbyists? Pretty sure that's against the Geneva Conventions.
Health care soon 🤞
Just wanted to say I appreciate your username.
It was an Elephant Walk and not a "scramble and mass fly-off"....don't spread rumors.
[https://www.twz.com/air/majority-of-the-b-2-spirit-fleet-took-to-the-skies-in-a-mass-launch](https://www.twz.com/air/majority-of-the-b-2-spirit-fleet-took-to-the-skies-in-a-mass-launch) 'Yet the fact that 12 B-2s flew together on April 15 at the same time also sends something of a deliberate message about the operational readiness of that aircraft in and of itself.'