B-2 Spirit Bomber Costs $130,000-$150,000 per Flight Hour; B-21 Raider Set for Cost Reduction
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber costs $130,000 to $150,000 per flight hour, making it the second most expensive aircraft globally. It will be succeeded by the B-21 Raider, targeting a cost of $65,000 per hour, with improved maintenance and deployment capabilities. The B-2 requires extensive maintenance and specialized hangars, complicating its logistics. The B-21 promises lower costs and easier deployment, utilizing advanced technology and new manufacturing methods.
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The B-2 Spirit bomber incurs costs of $130,000 to $150,000 per flight hour, making it the second most expensive aircraft after the Boeing E-4B. The upcoming B-21 Raider aims to reduce flight hour costs to approximately $65,000 while enhancing maintenance efficiency.
The B-2 requires 50 to 60 maintenance hours per flight hour, with its specialized radar-absorbing material degrading under environmental conditions. The B-21's design allows for easier deployment and maintenance, utilizing a next-generation coating and modular systems. The Air Force plans to procure at least 100 B-21s, ensuring a stable supply chain and lower costs.
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