B-2 Spirit: The 40-Hour Mission
This article delves into the extraordinary capabilities of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, focusing on its ability to conduct missions exceeding 40 hours. It details the ingenious solutions implemented to ensure crew rest and operational readiness during these extended flights, including a compact bunk, microwave, and chemical toilet. A real-world account of a mission from Missouri to Libya and back illustrates the challenges and triumphs of maintaining alertness and completing bombing runs across multiple time zones. The article also compares the crew rest amenities and mission profiles of the B-1, B-2, and B-52 bombers, highlighting the rigorous selection and training of B-2 pilots. The success of the B-2 is attributed not only to its advanced stealth technology but also to its meticulous attention to human factors.