/mourn B2 bomberFollow

http://www.kuam.com/news/26596.aspx

KUAM News has learned that a B-2 stealth bomber crashed at Andersen Air Force Base this morning. The incident happened at around 10:45am Saturday, as information we've gathered so far indicates that a lead B-2 aircraft took off and became safely airborne, but when minutes later a second bomber took off for reasons that are unknown at this point, that aircraft crashed.

However, at least two pilots were ejected before the plane hit. Their conditions are unknown at this time. AAFB public affairs officials have not been able to be reached for comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, Yigo residents have reported that they've seen large plumes of black smoke coming from the nearby military base. Additionally, according to Guam Fire Department Angel Llagas, a large explosion was also reported to the island's 911 service this morning, and two units responded to the area.

This is the second military aircraft that has crashed in the last 11 days. On February 12 a Navy Ea-6b Prowler attached to the U.S.S. Kittyhawk strike group went down about 20 miles to the north of AAFB. All four of the pilots in that incident were released from the hospital with minor injuries.

Some facts about the B-2 Spirit Bomber:

- Assigned to 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron's 509th Bomb Wing
- Homebased out of Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri
- Deployed to Guam as part of continuous bomber presence in Asia-Pacific region
- Primary function: Multi-role heavy bomber
- Armament: Conventional/nuclear weapons
- Payload: 40,000 lbs.
- Crew: Two pilots
- Unit cost: Approximately $1.2 billion

The U.S. Air Force released a statement following the event, reporting that a pair of pilots from the 509th were on board and ejected. They were evaluated by medical authorities and are said to be in good condition.

The B-2 was deployed to Andersen AFB from Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Emergency responders are currently at the site of the crash and the Air Force stated that a board of officers intends to investigate the accident.

That was posted a few hours ago.

I wonder if US Airmen have to pick up the tab when they run out of sky in such an expensive kite?

I'm of the opinion that if the people and government of the United States trust you with a two billion dollar aircraft, you bloody well land the thing safely or go down with the ship in an effort to do so.

Do you have any idea how long it takes me to earn two billion dollars?

ACTUALLY....

B-2 PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 1998 
PRESIDENT'S BUDGET 
=========================================================== Appendix I 
 
                         (Then-year dollars in millions) 
 
                                  Fiscal year 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                  1996/                                   2001/ 
                  prior    1997    1998    1999    2000      04       Total 
---------------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  =============== 
Development 
 program 
Northrop         $20,26  $489.1  $286.5   $15.8  $183.4   $51.8     $21,295.6 
                    8.9 
GE Engines        564.0     4.9       0       0       0       0       568.9 
Armament          121.2     3.6       0       0       0       0       124.7 
Aircrew           561.2     0.2       0       0       0       0       561.4 
 training 
Mission           252.6    21.6    18.8     8.2       0       0       301.2 
 planning 
Government test   732.7    36.8    28.1    12.2    13.0    40.4       863.0 
Other             573.7     2.3     1.4     0.5     0.5     0.1       579.5 
 government 
 tests 
Engineering           0     9.8    14.9     2.4     5.0     2.2       34.3 
 changes 
Direct release    316.1    27.2     5.9     6.1     7.6     4.9       367.7 
================================================================================ 
Development      $23,39  $595.5  $355.8   $44.9  $209.5   $99.3     $24,696.3 
 total              1.4 
 
Procurement 
 program 
Air vehicle      $15,27   $38.8   $33.3   $24.3   $49.0   $54.1     $15,476.3 
                    6.8 
Equipment/       1,418.    24.7    26.0     9.9     2.1     1.9      1,482.9 
 data/training        3 
Interim           154.6     4.5    44.0    45.6    47.6    10.0       306.3 
 contractor 
 support 
Spares            961.4    35.0    67.9    27.5    26.0    12.7      1,130.5 
Retrofit          105.5     6.1    13.8    16.3    22.2    44.1       208.0 
Other              90.4     7.1    17.2    17.1    15.4     0.6       147.8 
 government 
 costs 
Software          400.2     1.1    42.4   127.4       0       0       570.9 
 support 
Mission support    12.3    15.1    11.5    11.2     9.4     9.4       68.9 
Facilities        108.9     3.6       0       0       0       0       112.5 
================================================================================ 
Procurement      $18,52  $136.0  $255.9  $279.3  $171.7  $132.8     $19,504.1 
 total              8.4 
================================================================================ 
Military         $526.5       0   $27.1       0       0       0      $553.6 
 construction 
 total 
================================================================================ 
B-2 program      $42,44  $731.5  $638.8  $324.2  $381.2  $232.1     $44,754.0 
 total              6.3 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Source:  Air Force B-2 Program Office. 

As we can see from the table above, the actual cost of the plane itself is about $737 million (Air Vehicle total: $15,476.3 million / 21 bombers built). The procurement costs include another $4 billion or so for contractor support, spare parts, retrofitting, training, software, and mission support facilities, for a total of $19.5 billion in procurement. The R&D budget was a whopping $24,696.3 million, which, when added to procurement and construction costs, comes out to about $44,754 million, which, when divided by 21, equates to about $2.1 billion per craft.

So no, it's not $2 billion PER AIRCRAFT, or at least, it wouldn't be if we ordered more of them.

Edited, Feb 23rd 2008 9:06pm by BrownDuck

Yep. Funny how they just throw numbers out at ya sometimes.

extra news on this situation. it would seem the USAF has grounded the B2 fleet for now as a result of this crash.

the only real issue is if she has applied for a change of MOS and it has already been granted.

the real shame of it is, the B2 was obsolete before the first one rolled off the asembly line. it was the last of a giant cold war mentality of outspending russia into economic ruin.

it doesnt carry the payload of a B52, and its only other claim to fame, a nuclear strike platform, doesnt compare to a land or sea launched missle traveling close to 3000 kph.

its a fantastic machine. a testament to ingenuity and american knowhow. but its role is limited and other means available for a whole lot less money are just as effective and sometimes more effective. they should mothball them along with the sr71.