On July 17, 2024, Edwards Air Force Base celebrated the historic return of the B-2 Spirit, 35 years after its maiden flight at United States Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. THE Spirit of Pennsylvania, as the aircraft is called, returned to this strategic USAF aerospace test base to receive significant technological upgrades, including the addition of the Spirit Realm 1, a new open mission systems architecture that aims to improve communications and weapons systems.
“This is the first time we’re doing agile software development with Spirit Realm, so it’s a big change for us”, said Major Stephen Henderson, Assistant Director of Operations for the 419th Flight Test Squadron, who piloted the B-2 back to Edwards. “We are projected to work intensively on this this fall.”
The Combined Test Force, comprised of the 419th Flight Test Squadron, AFOTEC and the Northrop Grumman, will perform the tests. The initiative Spirit Realm 1 will enable rapid software updates, ensuring that the B-2 remains a relevant platform until its retirement.
The B-2 Spirit, a strategic bomber that made its first flight on July 17, 1989, entered service in 1997 and remains essential to the United States' nuclear deterrent.
The B-2 strategic bombers Spirit and B-1 Lancer will be retired by the USAF in the early 2030s, with gradual replacement by 100 aircraft B-21 Raider. Bomber production Stealth next-generation aircraft began in January 2024, with the expectation that it will enter active service by 2026.
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