Is this a B2 Bomber?

EddieWalker · Nov 13, 2011

I noticed the twin contrails and thought that the color was a little different from what I've seen before. I think it's a B2 bomber, but don't know for sure.

What is is?

Thanks,
Eddie

V1Rotate · Nov 13, 2011

Looks like a B-2 to me.

bullbreaker · Nov 13, 2011

Sure looks like one. The B-2 bomber is a stealth aircraft, so it needs to leave as little trace of its presence as possible, which is why it allegedly leaves no contrails. How is this possible? In 2000, Air International magazine published an article about the B-2, and explained how it was that the B-2 didn't produce contrails. "As for elimination of contrails (normally a giveaway, even for a stealth aircraft), the USAF said chlorofluorosulphonic acid was injected into the jets to eliminate contrails." But the USAF later told reporters that it was done by "regulating exhaust temperatures." Air International considered this "nonsense," because: "contrails are ice crystals from water vapor left when hydrocarbon fuel is burned, and can never be eliminated by 'regulating exhaust temperatures.'" From Contrails And The Dark Side
Contrails And The Dark Side

Boone

scrappy isb67 · Nov 13, 2011

At low altitude that the B2 will operate in while in combat, it will not leave contrails but at high altitudes it will. They don't bomb @ high altitudes.

Scooby074 · Nov 13, 2011

Yep thats a B2. Pretty cool. Lot of $$ in that shot:thumbsup:

The B2 can leave contrails

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/stealth-aircraft-vulnerabilities-contrails.htm

Kyle_in_Tex · Nov 13, 2011

Cool Eddie,

Might it have come from Shreveport base?

Dan Hunter · Nov 13, 2011

Kinda like how drowning proved a woman wasn't a witch, seeing the contrails means you're not their target...today.

Bigfoot62 · Nov 13, 2011

Kyle_in_Tex said:
Cool Eddie,

Might it have come from Shreveport base?

Barksdale AFB is actually in Bossier City.

IIRC, I think Tinker AFB, near OK City, also has B-2's.

EddieWalker · Nov 13, 2011

It was kind of following Interstate 20, coming from the West (Dallas) and going East (Shreveport)

Are they in Barksdale? This is the first time that I've ever seen one, and when I saw the picture, I thought that maybe it was coming back from a Veterans Day Ceremony. I'm just guessing.

From the ground, all I could see was the contrail. I took the picture because the contrail was dark, and split. I didn't even think about the plane, I just thought that the contrail looked really interesting across some white clouds behind it. By the time I took the pic, and got it in the frame, it was a long ways from the white clouds. I really didn't think it was a good pic anymore, but didn't want to give up on trying to get the pic. It took me a dozen tries to get it. It really was moving along quickly.

Eddie

WM75Guy · Nov 13, 2011

There are 19 B2 bombers at Whiteman AFB in Missouri and 1 B2 at Edwards AFB in California used for testing. THe 509th at Whiteman is the only operational unit. The 509th was the unit that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan in WWII.

Normally the B2 takes off and lands at Whiteman without stopping anywhere during it's mission, using inflight refueling to stay aloft for as long as 36 hours. The 2 pilots take turns sleeping on a lawn chair behind their seats next to the porta potty.

joemd11 · Nov 13, 2011

Ya I think Whiteman is the only base for the B2. Really cool pic :thumbsup:

creekbend · Nov 13, 2011

Good photo.Thanks for posting. :thumbsup:

jinman · Nov 14, 2011

repowell said:
There are 19 B2 bombers at Whiteman AFB in Missouri and 1 B2 at Edwards AFB in California used for testing. THe 509th at Whiteman is the only operational unit.

Yep, my grandson in the USAF wants to go to Whiteman and work on B2s, but for now he is in Offutt in NE.

scrappy isb67 · Nov 14, 2011

Kyle_in_Tex said:
Cool Eddie,

Might it have come from Shreveport base?

Nope(Unless it was visiting)

6thgpSF · Nov 14, 2011

I live in N.E. Kansas and see them flying over my place all the time.As repowell said they are from Whitemam .Awsome aircraft....russ

k0ua · Nov 14, 2011

I saw my first one many years ago, flying at low level near Aurora Mo. Even tho I knew what it was, it was still an awesome sight.

James K0UA

MoKelly · Nov 14, 2011

repowell said:
There are 19 B2 bombers at Whiteman AFB in Missouri and 1 B2 at Edwards AFB in California used for testing. THe 509th at Whiteman is the only operational unit.

Perhaps a foolish question ... but ... shouldn't that information be classified?

MoKelly

WM75Guy · Nov 14, 2011

MoKelly said:
Perhaps a foolish question ... but ... shouldn't that information be classified?

MoKelly

Info came from the Air Force and Northrop Grumman. They don't think so.

Whiteman AFB - 509th Bomb Wing

B-2 Spirit Bomber

Combustix · Nov 14, 2011

repowell said:
There are 19 B2 bombers at Whiteman AFB in Missouri and 1 B2 at Edwards AFB in California used for testing. THe 509th at Whiteman is the only operational unit. The 509th was the unit that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan in WWII.

Normally the B2 takes off and lands at Whiteman without stopping anywhere during it's mission, using inflight refueling to stay aloft for as long as 36 hours. The 2 pilots take turns sleeping on a lawn chair behind their seats next to the porta potty.

Yea a billion dollar plane and a port a potty, well I guess after paying for $700 toilet seats and hammers you get a rental commode. You would think they would at least rate a lazy boy:laughing: