Joint U.S. Pacific Command operations in the Pacific

“The B-2s also integrated with F-22s to ‘kick down the door’ against a simulated enemy integrated air defense anchored by formidable Northern Edge ‘enemy’ fighters,” Major Pye said. “This paved the way for powerful follow-on strike packages to attack enemy maritime and land-based targets at will.”

“Northern Edge provided a realistic combat environment to implement tactics critical to future B-2 and F-22 operations,” said Capt. William Hepler, 393rd EBS, one of the B-2 pilots on the Northern Edge mission. “It was a great opportunity to integrate the capabilities of the B-2 with those of the F-22 and learn more about each aircraft.”

The B-2 aircraft, aircrew members and support personnel, deployed to Andersen AFB from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo., provide the U.S. Pacific commander a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The B-2s are scheduled to remain at Andersen AFB until September.

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

Along with the B-52 and B-1B, the B-2 provides 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 well into the 21st century.

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."

The B-2 has a crew of two pilots, a pilot in the left seat and mission commander in the right, compared to the B-1B's crew of four and the B-52's crew of five.

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