#COCKPIT B2 UPGRADE#
#COCKPIT B2 SOFTWARE#

Up to 16 satellite-guided JDAM (joint direct attack munition) missiles can be carried. The B-2 bomber can also carry the AGM-129 advanced cruise missile, which is a strategic cruise missile with a range estimated at up to 1,500 miles. The B83 is a strategic free-fall nuclear bomb. The B61-11 is an earth-penetrating nuclear bomb for use against deeply buried and hardened targets.

In tests, the B-2 successfully released B-61 and B-83 nuclear and mk84 conventional bombs from the rotary rocket launcher, and mk82 and CBU-87 conventional weapons from the bomb racks. The B-2 stealth bomber has the capacity to carry up to 40,000lb of weapons, including conventional and nuclear weapons, precision-guided munitions, gravity bombs and a range of maritime weapons.Įach weapons bay is equipped with a rotary launcher and two bomb-rack assemblies. The aircraft carries all its weapons internally and is fitted with two separate weapons bays in the centre of the aircraft. The pilot can choose to activate the appropriate selection of flight and mission equipment for take-off mode, go-to-war mode and landing mode by using a simple three-way switch. It is equipped with a colour, nine-tube, electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS), which displays flight, engine and sensor data and avionics systems and weapons status. The cockpit accommodates two crew members. This new architecture provides high-speed data handling environment required to implement future B-2capabilities such as an EHF satellite communications system, and also provides B-2 the ability to destroy moving targets. The new architecture allows the B-2’s new integrated processing unit (IPU) to communicate with the aircraft’s processing applications.

#COCKPIT B2 SOFTWARE#

US Air Force and Northrop Grumman Corporation completed the system design review of the new software and computing architecture during July 2008. Flight testing with the new systems was completed in July 2009.

#COCKPIT B2 UPGRADE#

The upgrade includes a Lockheed Martin integrated processing unit (IPU). In June 2007, Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract to develop an EHF satellite communications capability and computer architecture upgrade for the B-2 bomber. A range of upgrade programmes are working on improving the B-2’s lethality its ability to receive updated target information during a mission, and its ability to collect, process and disseminate battlefield information with joint force commanders or other local first responders worldwide. This is done to ensure that craft remains fully mission capable against evolving worldwide threats. Northrop Grumman, the B-2’s prime contractor, leads an industry team that is working on modernising the B-2 bomber. These sensors sent distorted information to the air data system. A USAF investigation released an accident report in June 2008, which concluded that the crash was caused by moisture in the port transducer units. The fleet was grounded pending the results of the investigation but was returned to service in April 2008. A USAF investigation into the causes of the crash is underway. The two pilots ejected safely from the aircraft, which was not carrying munitions.

On 23 February 2008, a B-2 stealth bomber crashed shortly after take-off from Andersen AFB in Guam, the first crash in the aircraft’s history. In March 2005, a B-2 squadron was deployed for the first time to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in support of the USAF Pacific Command. The B-2 was thus deployed for the first time during Operation Iraqi Freedom in March / April 2003. Prior to this development, B-2s had to return to Whiteman AFB after missions, for maintenance of the aircraft’s stealth features. The first of these hangars has been erected on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The hangars are 126ft long, 250ft wide and 55ft high.

Cockpit b2