Engineering note on the B-2, Spirit/Stealth Bomber.

The B-2's remarkable ability to integrate airflow over the airframe and through the propulsion system needs to be further addressed.

Given the relatively modest total thrust of 76,000 lbs from four internal General Electric F-118-GE-100 turbofan engines, how does the stealth bomber succeed in flying with such unprecedented efficiency?

With an eye for details consider the following specifications: (2004 Aerospace Source Book/McGraw-Hill Companies)

Wing span: 172 ft. (B-2A)
                  137/ 79 ft. (B-1B, wing extended/ wing swept)
                  185 ft. (B-52H)

Max length: 69/ 145.8/ 160.1 ft. (B-2A/ B-1B/ B-52H)

Wing area: 5,140/ 1,946/ 4,000 sq.ft.
Observe! A large area is necessary for a strong electrogravitic/~antigravity lift force.

Gross weight: 336,500/ 477,000/ 488,000 lb.

Powerplant/ Thrust: 4 GE F118-GE-100 Turbofan (TF)/ 19,000 lbs. each
                              4 GE F101-GE-102 TF/ 30,000 lbs. each
                              8 PW TF33-P-3 TF/ 17,000 lbs. each

Engine thrust is mostly specified in uninstalled form, i.e. not including drag on the housing (inlet and nozzle drag). Detrimental to the B-2's TF-power output is the military requirement for a reduced radar cross-section (RCS). The B-2's radar reflectivity is minimized by external shaping (e.g. radar transparent engine inlets), radar absorbing coating and the electrogravitic field. The latter has a strong influence on the RCS.

Relative (*) radar cross-section - RCS ( sq.meters):
(Source: Air International Magazine 1995 & The Standard Handbook for Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineers, McGraw-Hill 2003)
B-2A/ 0.0014
B-1B/ 1.02
B-52H/ 99.5

Compared to:
Lockheed SR-71 (Blackbird)/ 0.014
Lockheed F-22A (Raptor)/ 0.0065
Lockheed F-117A (Nighthawk)/ 0.003

(*) varies with radar frequency and azimuth.

Observe! As a side benefit of the electrogravitic drive, Northrop (B-2) has revolutionized the stealth technique. No wonder that it's superclassified. On the other hand Lockheed Martin Skunk Works (F-117A & F-22A) still depends on 2-d computer-modelling.

Primary mission performance (B-2A/ B-1B/ B-52H):
Classified/ Mach 1.2/ 650 mph (at 50,000 ft.)

Primary mission loading: Nuclear, conventional munitions, 40,000 lb. payload/ B-2A
                                     Nuclear, conventional bombs; SRAM, cruise missiles/ B-1B
                                     8 internal & 12 external ALCMs; 20xSRAM/ B-52H

B-2 price tag (early eighties): Approx. $ 1.2 billion.

Closely scrutinized, electrogravitics represents the thrust enhancement needed. That is, an unconventional type of over-unity propulsion that produces a drive force without ejecting mass. The airframe meets the need for a Faraday cage in excluding the high voltage charge influence on crew and other crucial internals.

For additional information on electrogravitics and the stealth bomber go to:
On Track For Tomorrow. Electrogravitics and the B-2 Stealth Bomber.

Jan Riis-Christensen
jriis-c@frisurf.no

01.04.04

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