B-2 nuclear bomber damaged in landing accident at Missouri base

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Steve Liewer Updated 6 hrs ago

The Air Force is saying little about a landing accident this week that damaged one of its B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and forced the closure of airspace around Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, where the B-2s are based.

The Air Force’s Global Strike Command said in a brief statement that the plane experienced an unspecified in-flight malfunction during a “routine training mission” and made an emergency landing about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The statement said there were no injuries and no fire. A spokeswoman declined to answer additional questions submitted by The World-Herald, citing an ongoing investigation.

The B-2s belong to the Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing. One of their missions is to carry nuclear weapons under the direction of the U.S. Strategic Command, headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base.





Read more: https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/b-2-nuclear-bomber-damaged-in-landing-accident-at-missouri-base/article_045eea58-1719-11ec-b1fb-df585d185ca7.html

[Irish_Dem]

1. $2 billion aircraft. Toxic materials, including nuclear, can be released in a crash.

The Air Force is not telling the public if there were nuclear warheads onboard or not.

Only 21 B-2 bombers have ever been manufactured, and there are only 20 remaining after one crashed in Guam in 2008.
If this one now is totaled, this leaves the US with 19 of them.

[Bayard]

2. That' a headline you want to see first thing in the morning

Hopefully no nukes aboard.

[comradebillyboy]

3. I was stationed at Whiteman AFB back in 1971-1972.

Back then it was a Minuteman III missile base. I liked it so much I volunteered for any overseas assignment to get away.

[llashram]

4. accients do...happen

hopefully, the injuries are minor and no toxic substances were released.

[denbot]

5. The aerodynamics on B-2's are so tricky it must be flown by computer/pilot.

Fly by wire they used to call it. If any control surface system failed the crew is incredibly skilled and lucky to get their craft down.

[IzzaNuDay]

6. That will be one heck of a repair bill!

Wonder if the damage is actually repairable...