A quick look at ‘non-traditional targets’ hit by B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers during Operation Allied Force

Here’s why the B-2 Spirit strategic bomber doesn’t feature vertical stabilizers

By Dario Leone
Sep 11 2020
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How can the B-2 Spirit fly without vertical stabilizers?

The B-2 Spirit provides the US Air Force (USAF) the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or “stealth,” characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy’s most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets. Its capability to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provides a strong, effective deterrent and combat force.

The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers. Its low-observability provides it greater freedom of action at high altitudes, thus increasing its range and a better field of view for the aircraft’s sensors. Its unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers).

The B-2’s low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for the sophisticated defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2. Many aspects of the low-observability process remain classified; however, the B-2’s composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design all contribute to its “stealthiness.”

Here’s why the B-2 Spirit strategic bomber doesn’t feature vertical stabilizers
YB-49s

The B-2 features all these capabilities in an airframe without vertical stabilizers.

How can it fly without vertical stabilizers?

“Planes don’t require vertical stabilizers,” says Franklin Veaux, an aviation expert, on Quora.

“A vertical stabilizer is a simple, easy way to get yaw control. A vertical stabilizer plus rudder offers a quick, cheap mechanism for yaw authority.

“You don’t need a vertical stabilizer. You can gain yaw authority by using things like control surfaces that give you differential drag on the trailing edges of the wings, or even by using asymmetric thrust.

Here’s why the B-2 Spirit strategic bomber doesn’t feature vertical stabilizers
B-21 Raider

“But here’s the thing: doing that is hard. It requires constant active control. An aircraft without a vertical stabilizer is not stable without constant adaptive control, that’s why the original Flying Wings (such as the YB-49) crashed.”

Veaux concludes;

“Birds have constant adaptive control. They have a brain and nervous system that allows nonstop fine-tuning, generally through differential drag—they can change the position of their feathers to control yaw.

“It’s only been recently that avionics by means of computer assistance have allowed aircraft (such as the B-2 and the future B-21 Raider) to do the same.”

Here’s why the B-2 Spirit strategic bomber doesn’t feature vertical stabilizers

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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