Subtle strategic bomber

COMPANY   NORTHROP B-2 (REVIEW)

Aircraft industry, Express-Information 47 / 1991.

"Interavia Aerosp. Rev." , 1990, Jf 8, 646-649

"Interavia Aerosp. Rev.", 1989, VI, 22-26

"Aviat. Week and Space Technol.", 1990, Ij2, I 6, 71, 73, 75

"Aviat. Week and Space Technol.", 1989, 13 C V 17, 30'-31

"Aviat. Week and Space Technol.", 1990, 133. V 12, 59, 62

"Aviat. Week and Space Technol.", 1990, 133, V 18, 76, 77

"Flight Int." , 1989, 136, J * 4186, 23

"Flight Int.", 1990, III , V 4223, 24-27

"Flight Int.", One thousand nine hundred ninety. one hundred thirty-nine, V 4242, 18, ​​25

"Flight Int.", 1991, J39.J * 4268, 15

"Flight Int.", 1991, 139, V 4271, 101, 103, 104, "Jane's Def. Weekly ", 1991, 15, 19, 772" Def. News ", 1991, 6, I 23, 3, 60

Development of strategic bomber undistinguished firm Northrop B -2 began in 1978, Creating the aircraft was conducted under strict secrecy, and therefore on the design, appearance and performance specifications (LTH), nothing was reported until November 22, 1988, when at the airport enterprise firm   Northrop in Palmdale (California) was an official demonstration of the aircraft. However, during the demonstration to the press and professionals were not allowed to approach the bomber closer than 60 meters, and then only on the part of the bow. Increased secrecy was due to recent breakthroughs in  Stealth -technology that is widely used in the creation of V-2. According to a number of foreign specialists in certain flight regimes, Stealth -technology will make the B-2 bombers almost "invisible" to radar (radar), infrared (CI), and optical means of detection. Stealth -technology includes the following activities:

- Manufacture of airframe with smooth contours without sharp bends and line interface, to avoid the appearance of the effect of "corner reflector;

- Application radiopogloshayuschih materials (PRM) and screens that provide direction change reflected submarine signals;

- Manufacturing designs with maximum use of composite materials (CM);

- Reduction of the radiating power of engines and the application of special coatings.

Strategic Bomber B-2 made ​​by aerodynamic configuration "flying wing" (LC), with trapezoidal cross section center-width 27 m, which docked at relatively short outer wing section without restrictions. In the middle of the center section, the speakers gorboobraznom fairing are two large parallel bomb bay, the cabin crew, most of the onboard avionics equipment (avionics), and auxiliary systems, including air-conditioning system of a closed loop. On the upper surface of the LC are two air intake (EOI) with S -shaped paths. The engines are located below, center section within the aircraft. Trailing edge of the wing, front and rear edges of the valves weapons bays, access panels to motors, valves niches of the nose landing gear, and the edge of the OT are equally oriented. Toothed profile, contributing to the scattering of the reflected radar signals.

When designing the B-2, the choice of scheme wind-LC was due to the fact that LC combines the low values ​​of RL-signatures with good aerodynamic characteristics. At the same time to ensure a high quality aero plane was chosen large wingspan and sweep the front and rear edges of the LC profile were determined to meet the requirements of small values ​​of radar-signature, flights at high and low altitude high subsonic speeds, as well as the location of the centers of gravity and pressure . At the same time, as the expert in the field of aerodynamics, Hans Grelman, swing, Thickness and wing area in terms of predetermined weight and drag LC. As a result, the design of LC came out with an elongated wing chord and the center-surround, seamlessly paired with the more subtle and long outer wing section, which, according to G. Grelmanu creates an uneven distribution of lift along the span. One of the design features of B-2 is the lack of vertical fins. For aircraft, built under the scheme BOS, it does not matter, because center-it is quite short and there are no structural elements that contribute to the lateral destabilizing forces. Therefore, the LC all construction schemes tend to have sufficient directional stability, and require only appropriate management system. In addition, LC is stable in yaw at low altitudes, as gusts of wind drift do not affect its flight.

The most complex design solution for designing bomber B-2 was associated with placing in a wing of the power plant. Despite the fact that the B-2 is a subsonic aircraft, its thick sverhkritncheskie section of the wing contribute to the emergence of the local wing of the supersonic air flows. In this case, the location of the OT engines like the two supercritical sections placed consecutively. The first section - a zone behind the front edge of the wing, where the incoming airflow accelerates to supersonic, and slowed to subsonic speed before you arrive in the main and auxiliary VZ "bucket" type for the removal of the boundary layer. The second section includes the supercritical zone of the entrance edge of the OT to the output edge of the nozzle where the flow is accelerated and decelerated again. In cruising flight, the air flow around the OT (which is the most subsonic VZ), interacts with the airflow over the wing, up to the wingtips. In this regard, it was impossible to determine the calculated or empirically aerodynamic characteristics of the B-2 without the influence of the power plant.

One of the major structural changes in the design of the V-2 was the use of a new intermediate wing design in 1983, which led to the postponement of the program of ATV ( Advanced Technology Bomber -Bomber promising technology, originally called the program a B-2) for the year. At the heart of the creation of such a wing on the principle of " known unknown "(from known to unknown). In accordance with this principle, a new wing was designed on the basis of the already established and mature design LC. These structural changes were caused by changing requirements of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) USAAF bomber to the ATV. In accordance with the original requirements, the aircraft was designed as an all-altitude subsonic Stealth -bomber. Therefore, when the SAC bomber required to provide the ability to break the latest air defense systems at low altitude, specialists firm   Northrop had accordingly changed the design of the wing. In the early stages of design experts of the firm Northrop assumed that the bombers flying at low altitudes ATV will be delivered at a rate corresponding to the number of M = 0.55 (the same as that of the bomber B-52N), but at the last stage of development, it became clear that the plane would have sufficient thrust-weight ratio (due to the small aerodynamic drag) to achieve a speed corresponding to M = 0,8. Specialists of the company Northrop properly corrected the aircraft, cautioning that the NAO, which they did not have enough time to better simulate the impact of aeroelasticity at high loads and a more rigid construction. Subsequently required to improve the efficiency of elevons and place them in the strongest points of the wing. In this case, was slightly lengthened back intermediate section of the wing (between the main landing gear compartment and the outer wing section), which led to a characteristic of the B-2 gear profile rear wing.

Wing bomber is equipped with three-section elevon large in the central and outer sections, as well as the fissile spoilers on the consoles. Three-section elevons are used to control roll and pitch.External section elevons are basic, but domestic used primarily for flight at low speeds. Fissile spoilers perform several functions: the lower flaps symmetrically lowered to increase lift, and asymmetrically - for roll control; symmetrically opened the top and bottom plates left and right spoilers are air brakes, and their asymmetrical deviation is used to control the exchange rate using the difference of forces drag. In the rear, center-located part of the control surfaces, called " biver  tail "(beaver tail) and intended to change the curvature profile of BOS.

According to the test pilots, bomber B-2 has good stability and control in all axes, but the short length makes it more sensitive to fluctuations in pitch. Large wingspan contributes to good stability on a roll, and a large wing area in the plan and low inductive reactance permit flight with a small angle of attack. During the first flight test was found high efficiency control surfaces than previously assumed. In addition, the use of flaps or slats on certain flight conditions is not mandatory, and landing distance is relatively small for an aircraft of this size. According to the test pilots, the design of the V-2 is so aerodynamically clean that the engines during landing completely throttled. Depending on the mode of the engines provided the possibility to fly in a wide range of altitudes and speeds, with low sensitivity to change flight weight. In addition, the allowed exposure of a single takeoff speed, regardless of the take-off weight of the aircraft and maintain flying speed, selected in accordance with the requirements of a combat mission, and not due to the aerodynamic characteristics of aircraft. Four-channel digital-wire control system (FBWCS) from General     Electric     provides stability of the aircraft at the rate and pitch. FBWCS adaptive, auto-tuning of channels for the sustainable management bardirovschikom at asymmetrical traction engines or damage aircraft. The control system is included limiting the angle of attack.

According to a leading test pilot of the B-2 Bruce Hinds, bomber flight test did not reveal any need for significant changes in hardware and software (SW) in the onboard computer complex flight control system. Minor changes were made to the control laws, since the aircraft was more stable in pitch than anticipated. In addition, the government initially rejected down at stops as long as the aircraft did not reach a certain speed. Now they occupy a "flying" position when the engine will develop a craving, so that the pilot can verify their status and functioning.

In some modes B-2 bombers have even higher aerodynamic performance than anticipated in the design. In particular, the directional control and response on a roll was better than the simulator.In cruising flight are installed on the consoles LC two-segment split spoilers for better directional control of the reaction are in the "5 / 5" (ie, the upper segment declined by 5 ° upwards and the lower by 5 ° down), but this quantity can be reduced or eliminated altogether. According to Hinds, during flight testing, one problem was related to the influence of land for planting (the "cushions the Earth"). This effect is difficult to determine by calculation and can not simulate in a wind tunnel (WT), as the speed of air flow around the aircraft model and the walls of ADT, the implementation of purging the same. Effect of soil at planting more pronounced, but all of a soft landing, without difficulty, at the rate of decline 0.3 m / sec. Feedback from test pilots, bomber B-2 has a relatively high performance characteristics with one engine switched off, as the flight management system (EMS), operating as usual, provides aircraft flight without slipping at a constant angle of attack chosen by the pilot. According to Hinds, even with two engine shut off on the one hand, B-2 can keep stable flight, and its unique OT, each of which provides the necessary air flow to two engines can operate efficiently even in case of failure of one engine.

One of the features B-2 bombers, is his reaction to the lateral wind gusts, when not having a specific design elements to create a lateral force, it behaves very stable in the presence of a small drift, and does not require cross-action handlebars. In the B-2 no bars pitot (LDPE), contrary to unobtrusive fighter-bomber firm Lockheed F -117 A , which has the bow there are four bars LDPE with the facet shape. Instead they installed rows of holes PVD, but not performing for plating aircraft (four in a row, each control channel) associated with the system for determining the basic parameters of the flight company Rosemount , functioning on the basis of determining the difference between the static pressure measured by different sensors.

Handling characteristics of the aircraft during refueling in the air were studied in the first stage of flight tests. In this case, Leroy Schroeder, head of the flight test program and a group of test pilots of the B-2 bomber called the B-2 of the most stable plane on which he ever flew behind the plane - a tanker.

Study the characteristics of controllability of the aircraft during refueling in the air were water test flight without making contact with a refueling boom (TZSH) tanker, and several flights to the implementation of contact with TZSH (with the transfer of fuel, and without) the entire range of flight regimes characteristic of for air refueling.

Strategic Bomber B-2 is equipped with four pairs linked and "sunken" in the center-Turbofan firm   General Electric F 118 - GE -100. Motor F 118 - GE -100 was created on the basis of turbofan  F110 and has a smaller, compared with him, bypass ratio (0.8 and 0.85, respectively), greater traction on besforsazhnom mode and extent of rise in pressure. At the same time, structurally, these engines are very close. Neforsirovanny turbofan F 118 - GE -100 has a length of 3,95 m and a diameter of 1,83 m, corresponding to the engine size F 110 without afterburner.

Both engines have a unified electro-hydromechanical control system, an annular combustion (COP), compressor and shaft as well as a number of similar technical improvements in the design of circuits single-stage high-pressure turbine and a two-stage low pressure turbine. Engines F 110   and   F 118 are equipped with a three-stage fan, but fan turbofan F 118, having a blade greater chord provides greater airflow through the engine, compared to the turbofan F 110 (127 kg / s and 114 - 123 kg / s, respectively), despite the fact that the diameter of the compressor both engines are identical. On the upper surface of each EOI installed auxiliary inlet doors that open outward, and angled approximately 33 ° to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. Shutters provide extra airflow into the engines at takeoff, and taxiing. Channels VZ engine   F 118 (one OT two turbofan engines) have the S -shaped to prevent the direct x-ray irradiation of compressor blades.Nozzle, having a "hump", reduces the value of infrared and radar-signature powerplant aircraft in the rear hemisphere. Bench tests turbofan F 118 - GE -100 were completed in 1987, and the total volume of tests conducted since 1982 have exceeded 8000 hours, no precise data on the mass of fuel B-2 bombers have been reported. It is known that she no longer 72.6 m, which is significantly less than the strategic bomber firm   Rockwell International B-1B (89.3 m and 97.4 m with an additional fuel tank). According to representatives of the U.S. Air Force long-range with less reserve fuel B-2 due to higher efficiency power plant, surpassing by 50% the same period a B-1B bomber.

To perform combat missions in a nuclear warhead B-2 bombers use half the number of refueling aircraft than the B-1B. The advantage of B-2 in the range, compared with the B-1B, a more pronounced when flying at high altitude. The greatest advantage in the flight range of the B-2 B-1B, amounting to 26,9%, occurs when the bombers are lightweight package payload (eight SDSRAM -2 and eight nuclear bombs B61 with total weight of 10.9 tons), making flight at high altitude. The smallest advantage in range, equal to 7.1%, occurs when the aircraft is flying on a structure large-small, high altitude with a lightweight set of payload (10,9 m) and mounted on a B-1B bomber additional fuel tank. Under the same conditions but with a heavier set of payload (eight SRAM -2 and eight thermonuclear bombs V83 with total weight of 16.9 tons), the advantage of a flight range of 10%.                                                                                                    

Crew of B-2 bombers, as part of a pilot-captain and the pilot-operator of weapons systems, stir in a spacious cabin layout which allows for placement of third crew member. Control of the airplane can be carried out both the left and right-wing pilots on the cockpit instrument panel are three switches that allow you to automatically translate the on-board systems in regimes corresponding to various phases of flight, which include takeoff, landing and battle mode using the technique of Stealth . In addition, the instrument panel has eight multifunctional displays ( MFD ), four on each pilot. Each of the MFD can display one of 20 formats, including tactile diagrams of various onboard systems, as well as the parameters of their state. In front of each pilot are located next to each other, flight and navigation MFD . Side of them are located MFD   control and propulsion. Between the seats of pilots is a horizontal panel power plant on liquid crystals.Keypad data entry in the MFD is similar to the one used in modern airliners. Each pilot has a control wheel and four thrust lever (throttle) to the left of each seat. Separately, the right and left, next to the electronic flight instrument, located in Control Panel automatically EMS. Control devices for heating and other onboard systems are installed at the central "pedestal" between the pilots, and on top of the ceiling panel in front of them. The aircraft can be piloted both the first and second pilot, although a number of controls, such as cleaning and handle the landing gear, reach only the left seat. The cabin has two data entry terminal in the onboard computers that are installed on the left and right sides of the center of the dashboard. In addition, there are backup electromechanical flight instruments, including indicators of height, speed and artificial horizon, as well as control devices main engine parameters. The pilot, weapons systems operator at the side of a touch-sensitive handle to control the on-board weapons systems and radar imaging synthetic aperture mode. In flight, if necessary, the crew of a B-2 can change the software automatically EMS. Instrumentation cockpit bomber B-2 indicates that all systems on board aircraft is largely automated. Starting the engine, for example, can be accomplished with one click.

At the conference, firms of developers and manufacturers of aircraft simulators for training pilots and technical personnel ( I / I TSC ), was demonstrated by a simulator for training pilots in the cockpit action B-2, created by specialists of   Hughes   Aircraft . Time the demonstration was clearly visible switch to select in the main and backup control channels FBWCS. In addition, the conference was broadcast pilot version of the simulator training complex for training pilots of B-2 bombers, which was created by specialists of the firm CAE - Link . The complex includes a movable stall and visualization system zakabinnoy situation  Compu - Sin 4 firms Genera LElectric . When performing the tests, training complex has been used successfully for testing of combat missions and post-flight analysis.

The composition of the avionics of the strategic bomber B-2 is multi-mode radar firm   Hughes APQ -181 synthetic aperture, which operates in the frequency range to u (12,4-18,0 GHz) and has the searching and tracking, similar mode, the radar APG -70, installed on a fighter-bomber firm   McDonnell Douglas F -15 E Strike Eagle . Radar APQ -181 is highly secretive operation, and lets you view the earth's surface strip width of 240 km with minimal shading zone.Representatives of the firm   Hughes Radar Systems    argue that the experts developed their onboard radar APQ -181 has 21 operating mode and has a coherent regime mapping. At the same time, two-way radio APQ -181 is almost the same as the radar APG -70, which provided the basis for its creation.

Ability to operate in Ku -band provides APQ -181 greater resolution compared with X-band (5.2 - 11 GHz) and smaller side-lobe (NAM) at the same size antenna. In addition, the signals sidelobe NAM APQ -181, which are often a factor in unmasking, faster decay in the atmosphere, compared with the signals of the side lobes NAM radar operating in the frequency range of X . In the presence of large conformal arrays with controlled BP, which are mounted on the bottom surface of the wing B-2 bombers, and higher resolution, due to the operation in the frequency range to u , radar APQ -181 should provide the same resolution as the IR device detection and tracking purposes. In addition, according to foreign experts, the ability to APQ -181 to operate in reverse mode with a synthetic aperture radar will enable crews to perform the V-2 reconnaissance flights over the ocean and provide the identification and classification of maritime targets. In addition to the radar firm   Hughes APQ -181, in the avionics B-2 is the infrared vision system forward hemisphere FLIR , system of electronic intelligence firm  Sanders Associates , radar altimeter with a low probability of intercept signals firm Honeywell ; inertial navigation system (INS) from   Kearfott , system obtaining intelligence information from satellites (AES) communication system using satellite MILSTAR , as well as electronic equipment FBWCS.

In August 1990, the firm Hughes delivered a set of equipment for the third predseriynogo B-2, intended for flight test avionics. Representatives of the firm's claim that he was ready to supply 15 sets of avionics for the B-2 bombers. Office firm Northrop in Los Angeles (California) has contributed more than $ 1 billion to build the defense system onboard electronic warfare (EW)ZSR -62, intended for the B-2. This system is intended to be used in conjunction with an active system for electronic warfare increased stealth, which provides detection and suppression of enemy radar in a narrow range of frequencies at low emission power generator noise. Technical details of ZSR -62 are not reported, although the approval of representatives of the U.S. Air Force, the term "jamming" to this system is not suitable, since it does not emit electromagnetic energy. U.S. Air Force experts believe that the ZSR -62 can be used for passive detection of mobile launchers (PU) ICBM at their electromagnetic radiation. Later, on the modified B-2 bombers, can be set active EW systems reduce power and range of several kilometers (reduced power and range to make it difficult to detect enemy aircraft on the source of interference and pointing at him confusional SD). Duration of the radiation noise of these systems is to make a few microseconds, which impede their direction finding. According to representatives of the U.S. Air Force, yet found a need to equip B-2 defensive system jamming, the specific composition of which has yet to be determined.

At the armed B-2 bombers will include strategic SD air-earth firm   Boeing AGM -131  SRAM -2 (power plant - a dual-mode solid-propellant motor, length - 4.27 m: diameter - 0,4 m, wing span - 0,8 m starting weight - 877 kg Warhead weight VV 80 with a TNT equivalent of 200 kilotons - 265 kg max range start - 400 km). Unlike SD AGM -69 SRAM , the target coordinates are entered into a rocket on board the bomber just before the start, rather than on the ground before the sortie. In two PU "drum" type B-2 can carry 16 SD   SRAM -2. Achieving initial operational capability of these missiles in the (B-2 bombers is scheduled for 1993 In addition to SD SRAM -2, the armed B-2 will include 20 free-falling nuclear bombs (AB), B62 (diameter - 0,34 m length - 3.61 m, weight 347 kg). Setting the yield of the explosion AB (100 - 500 km) may be carried in flight from the cockpit. The bomb has faired well, allowing the delivery to the target on the external load the aircraft. The brake parachute is made ​​of Kevlar material, provides inhibition of the rate of fall of AB from 1609 up to 67 mph in 2 seconds. The minimum drop height of AB 15 m (after reset is provided by climb, which increases the flight time bomb and allow the aircraft carrier to leave a safe distance). Weaponry bomber -2 will also include 16 Freefall thermonuclear AB V83 (length - 3.658 m, weight - 1092 kg capacity not exceeding 1 M), which are designed to engage silnozaschischennyh goals. Perhaps use of the bomb at low altitude (up to 45 m) and high subsonic speeds . There is a drag chute. Maximum weight of payload, the announcement is in two internal bomb bay, located in the center section parallel to the plane can reach 22.73 tons

According to representatives of the NAO, B-2 bomber has a range, 12200 miles when flying at high altitude combat loaded 10.9 m. The flight profile for the big-small, high altitude combat loaded 16.9 m range is 8200 km, from which 1,850 km are on the low-altitude portion of flight at the break of the probable enemy air defenses. A heavier version of the payload includes eight SDSRAM -2, and eight Fusion AB V83. In a lighter version of AB V83 replaced with B61. In accordance with existing plans, fully funded program is equipping B-2 bombers conventional (non-nuclear) weapons. At present, developed and manufactured bomb racks for the usual type AB. A complete list of conventional weapons for the B-2 has not yet been published, but basically we are talking about AB Mk 82 fire 227 kg (80 AB on the plane) and sea mines.According to the Program Manager-2 from SAH U.S. Air Force Major-General Schofield, R & D plan provides for a flight test with a conventional bombing AB.

Below are the LTH strategic bomber B-2.

Aircraft length, m 21.0

Length, m 19.0

Height, m ​​5.2

Wing span, m 52.4

Sweep angle of the wing leading edge, deg. 30

Wing area, 465 m

Effective reflecting surface (EOC), 0.01 m

Maximum takeoff weight, t 168

Empty weight, t 45.4 - 50.0

Mass of fuel, 73 tons

Maximum payload mass, m 22.73

Maximum speed km / h 900 - 1000

Practical ceiling, m 15,600

Maximum range at takeoff weight 168 tons

(Mass of payload 40.9 tons), 12,200 km

Duration of flight (with one refueling), h 20

Power plant 4 x Turbofan

Engine type   F118-GE-100

Traction engines, 4 x 86 kN

In the United States continued a program of flight tests (OR) of low visibility of the strategic bomber B-2, which began after the first flight, which took place July 17, 1989 In October 1990, after a short break, resumed flight tests of first pre-sample B-2, who was the symbol AV -1. The purpose of Lee is to determine the characteristics of low visibility ( LO ) B-2. As of August 1990 the aircraft AV -1 carried out 16 missions total duration of 67 h. In the course of the I rate the basic flight characteristics (speed reached 600 km / h and a height of 11000 m) and worked-air refueling. Flying predseriynogo second sample B -2 ( AV -2), designed for load testing, started in autumn 1990, this aircraft is equipped with load cells and is the only B-2 bombers, which after there will not be delivered SAC USAF. In August 1990, she completed assembly of the third (AV -3) and fourth ( AV -4) pre-production samples, while the fifth ( AV -5) and sixth ( AV - G ) aircraft designed to assess the operational life B-2, were ready in autumn 1990, all pre-series B-2 bombers will be used to conduct the following tests.

AV - 1 - for further study of LTH and LO -performance aircraft;

AV - 2 - for load and performance tests and tests on the separation of the bombing of missile weapons;

AV -3 - to study the   LO -performance aircraft compatibility testing of weapons systems and avionics;

AV -4 - for testing avionics and assessing the compatibility of aircraft and airborne weapons systems;

AV -5 - environmental test, and test airborne weapons systems;

AV -6 - for operational and performance tests, and study the LO -performance aircraft and test the complex logistics and ground maintenance.

Volume LEE six pre-production bomber to be around 3,600 hours of flight tests Preliminary results show that the handling characteristics of B-2 is better demonstrated on the stand.Aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption in level flight (and hence the distance) correspond to the calculation, the response to wind gusts and the level of congestion during flight in turbulent atmosphere satisfy the calculated values, balancing the position of elevons located within 3 ° of the design and impact of land for planting less than expected (it was assumed that the B-2 will be floated to the landing, but this is not observed). Separation speed B-2 is 260 km / h and depends little on the takeoff weight. Although the plot of the lift LC from the angle of attack has a small slope to an acceptable level of congestion required the use of active systems reduce the impact of wind gusts, the executive bodies in the form of elevons and the "beaver tail".

PAF has a high-speed electro-hydraulic actuators with a working pressure in the hydraulic system of 28 MPa.

According to the test pilots, bomber B-2 has excellent directional stability and better than expected, the transverse and longitudinal. Although the shoulder controls pitch is low, the plane is well damped due to large surface areas of governance, is about 15% of the wing. How to recognize the test pilots, there are several problems associated with the aerodynamics of the aircraft, but they use kompeniruyutsya FBWCS with quadruple redundancy, the functioning of which is estimated by experts of firm Northrop as "excellent." According to a leading test pilot of B-2 J. Hinds, due to high rigidity, bombardirovshik has the handling characteristics, like a fighter.In contrast to the bomber B-52 wing which (at 56.5 m span) can be bent in flight with a maximum amplitude of 9.75 m, the more "rigid" B-2 (wingspan of 52.4 m) is much faster obey rudders . In addition, high sensitivity on a roll at the B-2, in part, due to high speed drives, elevons deflection at a speed of 100 deg / sec.

Appreciated, during Lee, a system of definitions of basic flight parameters (speed, altitude, angle of attack, drift, etc.) from Rosemount . During the flight test was also successfully demonstrated the operation of the main and emergency systems, harvesting and extracting the chassis. In each test flight occurred only a minor fault, there was no significant failures of fuel or hydraulic systems, as there were no fuel leaks. The average duration of each test flight was 4 hours and the duration of the tenth ( AV -1) exceeded 7h. At the end of 1990 was completed score calculated values ​​of RL-signatures of B-2 bombers.

Predicted L O characteristics of B-2 are based on studies using scale models of aircraft and special techniques, which are carried out since 1984 Most of the systems on board the bomber B-2 was tested in the air, on the plane - a flying laboratory firm   Boeing C 135. For testing radarAPQ -181 and navigation system that includes complex astronavigation, was carried out 305 flights flying laboratory. In this case, it was flown 1000 hours of test radar and a 650 hour - for testing the navigation system. According to representatives of the firm   Northrop , for radar APQ-181 was achieved with high-resolution ground mapping at longer range and greater secrecy in the system follow the terrain.

The first flight of the AV -2, which was nearly canceled because of gusty winds in the area of the test terminal, the Palmdale (California), was held October 19, 1990 after takeoff the pilots landing gear, and install a smooth climb in the north- easterly direction, headed for the Edwards Air Base (California). During the flight, the crew inspected the aircraft systems, and after landing gear reached an altitude of 3050 m and speed 585 km / h. Shortly thereafter, the flight was aborted due to strong winds in the area of Edwards Air Force Base. Wind speed was 7.5 m / s (27 km / h) with gusts up to 9,5 m / s (34.2 km / h), which is very close to the maximum permitted crosswind landing, the approved program of whether the plane AV -2. In addition, on-board test equipment recorded a drop in fuel pressure, which probably was the reason for the termination of the flight. Later, when studying the causes of failure, the hair was found a crack in the casing of a heat exchanger used to cool the working fluid auxiliary drive motor. October 23, 1990, after a series of modernization works, aircraft AV -1 made ​​his 17 th in a row a test flight lasting 5.3 hours, which includes one air refueling. The results of the upcoming flight tests, by definition, LO -performance aircraft are vital to the production program for B-2 bomber, whose fate will be decided finally in the U.S. Congress after the completion of these tests. By June 1991, two pre-production aircraft AV -1 and AV -2 committed more than 50 flight test, flown at the same time about 200 h.

Currently, when a large part of the appropriation for the program development and debugging B-2 spent, and a number of technical problems closely related to its settlement, opponents of the program again opposed further purchases of the bomber. As pointed out by the Special Assistant to the modernization of strategic aviation, U.S. Air Force Brigadier General William B. Davey, the problem of B-2 bombers is that many confuse it with the possibility of military tasks which can be assigned to SAC United States Air Force in the event of armed conflict. SAC plans to use the B-2 as   PENB -bombardironshika ( Penetrating Bomber ), capable of breaking through the latest air defense systems priorities identified in a single integrated operational plan for SIOP .Currently, the main PENB -bombardirovshikami are strategic B-1B bombers, who are now carriers of 25% of nuclear weapons as defined by the plan SIOP . According Deyvita, after the B-2 weapons, bombers, B-1B will be redirected to less priority and protected purpose, and bombers-52N will no continue to be used as carriers for cruise missiles (CD), run out of zones possible enemy air defenses. At the same time, experts say the U.S. Air Force concern is the possibility of deploying cutting edge of defense, consisting of interceptors long-range aircraft such as AWACS    and refueling aircraft in the event of a real threat to break the B-1B bombers and B-2 regional Frontier defense potential enemy. According to the General Deyvita, commander of SAC, General John Chain proposes to increase the level of combat readiness of the B-2 in peacetime, from 30 to 55%, which will be with a reduced number of B-2 bombers the same number of combat-ready aircraft as in the 30%-alert was originally identified 132 bombers.

Experts estimate that the U.S. Air Force to deliver 120 tons of payload to the area of Libya, would be required: 30 bombers FB -111 A , 57 sorties zapravshikov, 14 aircraft and 302 combat support human pilots, or 10 bombers, B-52N, 32 aircraft tanker and 14 aircraft combat support and 202 people respectively, pilots, or six B-2 bombers, six air tankers and 36 people respectively pilots. To perform such a combat mission would have two aircraft carrier battle group (AUG), comprising the more than 12,000 troops the U.S. Navy. Proceeding from an air base, located in the continental United States or on the islands of Guam and Diego Garcia, B-2 bombers could deliver a payload weight of 21,750 kg, with a refuel in the air, anywhere in the world. In addition, experts say the Pentagon's two-aircraft B-2 without the involvement of aircraft maintenance and aircraft zapravshikov will be able to accomplish the same task, which during the war against Iraq to a group of 32 attack aircraft, 16 fighter cover, 12 aircraft and air defense suppression enemy aircraft and 15-zapravshikov. During the hearings in the U.S. Congress legislation on the financing of military programs in the 1991/92 fiscal year, representatives of the U.S. Air Force first reported a number of previously classified information about military capabilities stealth aircraft U.S. Air Force. In their statement, range fighter-bombardirovshika firm   Lockheed F - II 7 A , with a combat load 1,814 kg, and without refueling, is about 2,330 km, while the range B-2 bombers, combat loaded 18 000 kg and without refueling in the air, more than 11000 km. In addition, the B-2 has a low visibility, which is characteristic for the   F -117 A , which has played an important role in Operation Desert Storm.

U.S. Air Force have published data that the B-2 bombers capable of successfully counter the existing, developed and promising defense system. It is assumed that during the upcoming, tests to verify the LO -performance V-2, some radars can detect the aircraft. However, according to representatives of the NAO, if we assume that the probability of detecting, tracking and targeting radar UR-class ground-to-air on the  Stealth -bomber, on each of these phases would be equal to 80% of the total probability of intercept B-2 advanced air defenses in a typical combat situations will be only 50%. U.S. Air Force conducted a study of different detection systems, which have been declared effective against the B-2 bombers. Among these systems were radar, operating at microwave frequencies, which, as it turned out, did not pose a serious threat to the B-2, because its design is intended to counter the radar of this class. In addition, these radars are serious problems with the detection of low-flying targets and noise immunity. Studies of various means of opposing Stealth -bomber also includes the study of more than 50 unusual concepts of air defense systems, during which spent a number of research papers.

For example, studies of acoustic detection systems require the most detailed study acoustic signatures of different types of aircraft, as well as the interference phenomenon, and the velocity of sound in air under different atmospheric conditions. Acoustic sensors were integrated into the experimental acoustic detection system with which determined the detection range of different purposes at different speeds and altitudes. The optimal range of detection low noise and low-altitude aircraft was 5 - 7 km. However, overseas, experts say a weak immunity acoustic detection systems under adverse weather conditions (rain, ice, high winds, etc.). U.S. Air Force were also explored the Australian horizon radar   Jindalee . As a result, it was concluded that approval of the Australian developers of the capabilities of these radars to detect stable  Stealthaircraft-is dubious.

Estimated annual operating costs of the strategic bomber wing ( SBW ), a fully staffed aircraft B-2, almost the same as that of S in W , manned strategic bombers firm  Boeing B -52 G / H  Stratofortress , and slightly lower than that of SBW , staffed strategic bombers firm Rockwell International B -1 B . 

In addition the number of ground staff B-2 will be considerably less than tehpersonalom bombersB -52 G / H   and B-1B, because of the higher reliability of the systems on board the B-2, better maintainability and maintenance services. At the same time, spare parts and equipment B-2 will be more expensive than the previous generation of bombers. To improve reliability, maintainability, and availability of maintenance (TO) and Logistics (Logistics), to work on the B-2 program, the design, assembly and test, connected by experienced technicians BBC. In addition, during ground testing, and Lee, to work out the most out of TO and ITO, the firm Northrop    attracted a group of experienced technical experts from among the retired chief and senior master sergeants of the U.S. Air Force. To date, through technicians first B-2 bombers equipped with a half tehsostavom U.S. Air Force, and half specialists. In addition, two of the six pre-series B-2, through technicians will be fully staffed tehsostavom U.S. Air Force, and experts of the firmNorthrop   will serve only special test equipment. These activities will ensure effective testing of TO and logistics, as well as significantly speed up the training of technical personnel to service bombardirovshikov B-2 in parts of the NAO. This joint activity of the company-developer and the Ministry of Defense not only provides the development and manufacture of reliable and efficient advanced combat techniques, but also quality, reliable service immediately, as soon as it arrives at the front of the U.S. Air Force. Such interaction was first implemented in the design, manufacture and testing of the B-1B bomber.

At the airbase Uaytmen (Missouri), which will be deployed first SBW , armed bombardirovschikomi B-2, are built hangars and other ancillary facilities closed for the storage and routine maintenance of B-2 as well as protection of PRM-covering aircraft from adverse environmental impact. Organization of pre-TO and ITO B-2 bombers in the open parking areas such as strategic bombers in the previous generation. In addition, TO, MTO B-2 does not require high-skill service and technical staff is available to specialist secondary qualifications.

Given the initial budgeted cost of the program to 70.2 billion dollars, including delivery of the U.S. Air Force BAC 133 strategic bombers, B-2 (132 series aircraft and one B-2 for strength tests), disbursement planned to distribute as follows:

I . $ 22 billion on the program full-scale development, including six aircraft for Lee, five of which, after Lee, planned to rebuild and give the NAO.

II . About $ 40 billion. on the production and delivery of SAC USAF 127 series B-2 bombers.

III . Nearly $ 8 billion on accessories for ground maintenance, spare parts and operational technical documentation.

IV . About $ 1 billion in planned improvements to components and equipment, including raising the combat capabilities of a strategic SD SRAM - 2 and B-2 avionics.

Program managers currently evaluating the cost of each fully staffed with B-2 bombers at $ 285 million This estimate is contained in the Budget and Finance Bill for 1990, however, the real cost of one bomber may be a little more than $ 300 million the most credible threat for a program to produce B-2 was the version of the bill, proposed for consideration by the House Committee on Armed Services in the U.S. Congress representative from the unit. Ohio Republican John Kesichem. It says to cease production B-2 bombers, after making 16 planes, "zakonservirovanii" its production line, and even the complete cessation of production due to the fact that currently there is no need for such an expensive bomber. According to U.S. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, the cessation of production of B-2 would be a mistake, because according to experts the Pentagon, the cost of one B-2 bombers without an accompanying ground equipment only 20% higher than the value of B-1B bomber, and as a carrier Nuclear Weapons B-2 cost 40% cheaper than ICBMs.

Total Cost of production 16-2 (six pre-series and ten production aircraft) should reach 35.4 billion USD This amount includes 26.7 billion dollars spent or already invested in production to date, the costs of flight testing and rehabilitation of five pre-series aircraft, the entire program in the past Lee, as well as 3.6 billion dollars to compensate for the cost of the aircraft design phase.At the same time, experts estimate the U.S. Air Force, 15 B-2 bombers will not be able to fulfill all tasks assigned are currently at PENB -bombardirovshiki, especially in the case of retargetingPENB -bombardirovshikov B-1B and their use as carriers of promising CD . In this regard, the U.S. Congress considered the question of the "intermediate form", ie production of 75 V-2, according to the five pre-production. The program cost of production aircraft in 1975, taking into account the development and LEE, estimated at 61.1 billion dollars this way, the cost of production of 60 "extra" bombers constitute 25.7 billion dollars

According to foreign press, the U.S. Air Force suspended the program development and modifications for the Air Force perspective unobtrusive deck bomber A-12  Avenger -2, joint development firm McDonnell    Douglas    and   General    Dynamics . This decision was directly related to the program of B-2 bombers as well as comparative analysis showed that 75 B-2 can deliver a payload of 21% more than 400 aircraft A-12, and estimated costs for the production of "additional" V-bombers 2 (60 aircraft) at 31% less than the cost of the program A-12 (400 aircraft) for the U.S. Air Force. According to representatives of the company   Northrop    and the USAF, R & D spending on the program the V-2 is mainly paid for, and the main question now is to finance mass production of the B-2.

According to their estimates, reducing the rate of production increases the cost of the program, and every year Hold cost, adjusted for inflation, about 2.5 billion dollars for foreign press reports, the bill on budget allocations for development and production of the newest and most promising samples of military Technology in 1991, adopted at the meeting of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee and Senate, no specific decision on the program of production of strategic bombers, B-2. According to the guidelines the U.S. Air Force B-2 program should now be the highest priority. However, the U.S. House of Representatives favored the elimination of production in excess of 2 parts in 15 aircraft, means the completion of construction which have been allocated in the 1990/91 fiscal year.

Firm   Northrop   since 1982 has invested in the program B-2 bombers about 1,2 billion dollars, and the main subcontractors firm    Boeing    and   Link - Temco - Vought ( LTV ) of approximately $ 300 million by July 1990 were identified made for the production of 13 aircraft.

Manufacture of component parts and details the V-2 carried out in enterprises and subcontractors at the plant firm   Northrop     in Pico Rivera (California), and final assembly of aircraft at the factory N42 in Palmdale. The plant in Pico Rivera previously produced cars and was bought by  Northrop   in 1982, now it employs around 12,600 people. At this company has 400 terminals automated system includes a database (DB) for all the details of B-2 bombers, which was used in the design and simulation of the aircraft, as well as in the preparation of tooling, manufacturing, testing and operating the B-2. Creating this database has provided an automated pre-production without the use of conventional paper drawings, prototyping and experimental equipment, and allowed us to obtain highly accurate dimensions and profile of the aircraft (eg, keeping errors wingspan B-2 is 7 mm).

"The electronic product design, as our experts Northrop    call their automated system to the database, allows for the majority of structural elements (except for some complex large aggregates) are moving directly from design data to manufacturing batch tooling, bypassing the normal intermediate steps. At the same time. At the request of representatives of the Company, provided a sixfold reduction in errors during the initial installation and correct mounting is achieved without fitting 97 - 99% titanium pipelines with an average figure for the U.S. aviation industry at 60%. Time for preparation of software for machine tools with numerical control (CNC) is reduced by 40%. In this case, requires only the introduction of cutting speeds and feed material to the database machines contained in a computerized database. The main advantage of using an automated production system to the database, compared to similar previous generation systems, is fast (up to five times faster than usual) making design changes in production processes. At this stage, the production quality and test the performance of manufactured units are critical for program production B-2 bombers as well as a stage production of experimental equipment has been canceled as a result of innovative firms   Northrop to the manufacturing process, and therefore any manufacturing defects may question accuracy of computational models and used industrial equipment. In this regard, the first flight of B-2 was preceded besprotsendentno large volume tests in WT (24 000 hours), testing and evaluation of avionics (44000ch.), flight simulation on the stand (12000 hours), as well as test and evaluation management system flight (6000 hrs).In addition, the planned level of testing of various structural elements, systems and subsystems to ensure the required reliability and manufacturability and repair of more than 800,000 hours

The design of B-2 bombers largely made ​​of KM, and some of its elements can withstand temperatures over 300 ° C. In addition, using complex layered material from the debris and metals, which must be drilled in one pass, as well as drawing on a special Cabinet PRM-covering.Apply the latest technological processes such as high-speed ultrasonic cutting KM "knife", the automatic stacking of layers in the manufacture of parts of complex profile, automatic calculation of profiles with cavities, robotic cutting, bonding and coating parts. We should also note the high-speed milling of magnesium, aluminum and titanium parts, cleaning KM substrates using a corona electric discharge, dedusting milled honeycomb ionized gas drilling and adaptive layered parts from different materials. During fabrication of structural elements of composite impregnated with fillers KM fed from the winding drum through heated to a certain temperature, molding to ultrasonic "knife", where it is separated from obshey tape in accordance with the required length.Lengthy parts of constant cross section are formed and partially cured in the process of continuous pultrusion. Developed new automated method of control.

Automated processing of materials in the manufacture of structural components of KM, reduces the waste to less than 4%. To calibrate the stocks used optical theodolite with a computer-controlled, thereby reducing the duration of control of their accuracy from weeks to hours. In addition, using an automated warehouse system for materials and component design elements.According to representatives of the firm  Northrop , our experts have developed and implemented around 900 new construction materials and processes. By automating the production, the predicted complexity of manufacturing the aircraft, per 1 kg of its mass, will be approximately the same as that of an aircraft firm Boeing V757. Firm   Boeing , made ​​more than half of all structural elements of B-2 bombers, is now manufactured very large assemblies and parts of the CM. Enterprise firms produce cantilever wing length of about 19.5 m, and a broad central rear section length of about 13 m, located behind the cabin crew.

The firm is responsible for assembling the fuel system (fuel tanks B-2 installed in the console of the wing), manufacturer of the chassis and the individual pieces of equipment on-board weapons systems, as well as leaflets bombing bay. In these studies takes. Attended by about 10,000 workers and employees of the firm.

Firm  Northrop   ensures the release of the front section of the central plane, including the cockpit crew company LTV - Aircraft   Production   Group   produces an intermediate wing section, which is located roughly between the cantilever section and the niche of the main landing gear.

Management of the company  Boeing , in coordination with the Pentagon in August 1990 for the first time provided an opportunity for the public to get acquainted with the production of structural components for the B-2 bombers, which consists of six main phases:

1) consistent development of composite structural elements using the automated line, which provides stowage fabric impregnated with epoxy resin in the form of strips 15 cm wide;

2) packing in special plastic bags panels from the CM to undergo treatment in an autoclave diameter of 7,5 m and 18 m at a temperature of 177 ° C and a pressure of 0.03 kPa;

3) cutting long panels with five-axis CNC machine (small design elements are handled manually);

4) diagnostics and control, where each structural member is verified using ultrasound and fluoroscopic equipment, followed by recording the results of tests on optical disks for further research;

5) removal of defects through various methods;

6) of paint.

Currently, the production of B-2 bombers carried out at a rate of 0.4 aircraft per month.Originally planned to produce three aircraft a month, but the overall decline in military appropriations led to the reduction in the rate of monthly production of the B-2. Assembling the bombers carried out using standard mounting assemblies and parts, but the tolerances for deviations from the shape and surface roughness for the B-2 is more stringent than those for civil aircraft. The use of computers in the design and manufacture of aircraft, has greatly facilitated the assembly and to reduce their cost. For example, at the first test, over 90% of pipeline hydraulic and fuel systems are suitable for further installation on the aircraft. Also, noteworthy is the fact that, after refueling the first B-2 was not detected leaks in the fuel system aircraft.

Specialists of the company   Boeing , seeking to reduce the cost of B-2 bombers, found a way to reduce by $ 600 million total cost of 75 production aircraft. As it turned out, this can be achieved by measurements in process equipment and production processes. The firm has contracts to manufacture components for 16 V-2. In addition, the company's   Boeing     manufactured structural components of IM and other types of aircraft including a wing for a modified deck bomber firm Grumman A -6 F Intruder , different sections of the airframe remotely piloted aircraftCondor     and parts for prototype tactical perspective undistinguished Fighter   YF -22 A    joint development firm   Lockheed , Boeing , General Dynamics .

Minister Rais D. Air Force Chief of Staff Air Force L. Welch, speaking in support of the production of B-2, have repeatedly stated that the B-2 bombers is not completely "invisible" and, under certain conditions, some radar systems can detect it. At the same time, according to foreign experts, the B-2, having EOC 0,01 m, can theoretically be detected at a distance of no more than 140 km. A radical solution to the problem of detection undistinguished B-2 foreign experts associated with the development of a number of advanced technological solutions, among them - using ultra-wideband radar, radar integration in the network with correlation processing radar-information in real time, use the effect of nonlinear radar, etc. These technical solutions to some extent already being implemented in different countries.

F. A. Stepanov