The B-2 bomber, used exclusively by the United States Air Force (USAF), is the most expensive aircraft in the world, in addition to having technologies exclusive to the model. Created in the 80s, the B-2 was always designed to be an innovative aircraft with a low radar signature.
Due to the high cost per unit produced, around US$ 2 billion, only 21 bombers of this model were manufactured, and 20 are currently in service.
And in 2019 a journalist had the unique opportunity to fly inside the B-2, and its interior is basically composed of the cockpit. This was one of the rare times that the USAF showed a little more of the B-2.
The documentarian Jeff Bolton recorded the short video below, showing a very modern cockpit, commanded by only two pilots, and already in the scheme Glass Cockpit. It is noteworthy that the B-2 is equipped with a Fly-By-Wire flight control system, and the stick is actually a sidestick, installed in a very similar way to fighters.
See in video below:
Due to the complexity of movements, due to the B-2's single wing format, the aerodynamic control surfaces are distributed along the fuselage, and commanded by the computer, which converts the pilot's inputs into the desired movement for the bomber.
A video posted by the YouTube channel “Saint1 Aviation Vids”, shows a B-2A Spirt moving its control surfaces, the image shows in detail the elevons and rudders of the bomber in action. These are responsible for the movement of the B-2 in three different directions (Vertical, Transverse and Longitudinal).
For this reason it is complex, a single component needs to control practically all possible axes of displacement of the plane, and the actuation of each surface is regulated by computer.
Filming took place at Fairford Air Force Base., UK, March 2020. At the time US bombers were carrying out a Bomber Task Force mission in Europe.
The B-2 can carry 23 tons of conventional, guided, nuclear, or air-to-ground missiles. Northrop is currently working with the USAF on the development of the B-21 Raider, a new stealth bomber that is expected to replace both the B-2 and the B-1B Lancer in the future.
