This design carries the tail markings of B-2 Spirit flown by the 509th Bomb Wing. The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is one of the most advanced and expensive aircraft ever built. With a price tag of around $2 billion per unit, including research and development, it's designed for penetrating sophisticated enemy defenses. Its flying-wing design and radar-absorbing materials give it near-invisibility to radar.
The B-2 holds several records, including the longest air combat mission: a 44-hour round trip from Missouri to Afghanistan and back in 2001 during Operation Enduring Freedom. It can deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads and has a range of over 6,000 nautical miles without refueling. The aircraft’s development was shrouded in secrecy, and despite the cost, its strategic role makes it a key component of the U.S. nuclear triad. Another impressive stat: the B-2 can carry up to 40,000 pounds of ordnance, including precision-guided weapons. For comparison, a B-17 Flying Fortress would normally carry 8,000 pounds of ordnance.