The Pentagon decides to delete the “irreparable” fighter jet damaged in an accident in 2022

The US Air Force has outlined plans to sell one of its B-2 Spirit stealth bombers that was damaged in an accident. This move will further reduce the size of the already small fleet of stealth bombers.

Israeli fighter in Pakistan Air Force? Why might J-10C, operated by Pakistan and China, be heavily inspired by IAI Lavi?

The B-2 Spirit bomber occupies a central role in the United States’ strategic arsenal, serving as a critical deterrent against potential adversaries and projecting power around the world. Its ability to penetrate deep into enemy territory with precision-guided munitions allows it to neutralize high-value targets, disrupt enemy command and control systems and weaken enemy defenses, thereby influencing the outcome of conflicts and deterring aggression. Furthermore, its nuclear capability underscores its role as the cornerstone of America’s nuclear triad and provides a credible and survivable deterrent to nuclear threats.

This accident would rank as one of the costliest crashes in USAF history, second only to another B-2 crash in 2008.

The decision was announced in April in a report on changing the Pentagon’s force structure. The targeted B-2, believed to have been involved in an emergency landing and subsequent fire at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on December 10, 2022, will not be repaired.

The incident resulted in a six-month grounding of the entire B-2 fleet, with operations only resuming after a thorough safety assessment.

The decision to scrap the aircraft, even though there were only 20 B-2s in service, one of which was damaged, highlights the difficulties of maintaining a small fleet of extremely specialized aircraft.

According to the Pentagon report, the decision is attributed to the inefficiency of repairing the aircraft after the ground accident. Specific details about the incident, repair costs or decision-making process are not being released.

A similar incident occurred in 2021, after which the affected B-2 aircraft was transported to Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale, California, for extensive repairs.

Although the U.S. Air Force did not disclose the cost of repairs for this specific case, an initial estimate suggested it would be at least $10.1 million.

The B-2 Spirit bombers are an essential part of America’s nuclear deterrent triad and are known for their advanced stealth capabilities and operational versatility. The complexity of B-2 aircraft, characterized by their advanced composite structures and delicate exterior coatings, contributes to the high costs associated with maintenance and repairs.

Even small breakdowns often cause major costs and logistical challenges. These factors may have influenced the Luftwaffe’s decision regarding the damaged bomber.

As described in the April Pentagon report, repairing the damaged aircraft is believed to be “uneconomical.” This highlights the complex considerations that determine the feasibility of restoring such sophisticated platforms.

As the Air Force prepares to sell the damaged B-2, questions remain about the broader impact on the B-2 fleet. The B-2 aircraft will eventually be succeeded by the United States’ most advanced bomber, the B-21 Raider, which is currently in development.

Costliest crash in USAF history

The B-2 Spirit bomber is a symbol of America’s technological prowess and military might. However, even the most advanced machines are not immune to failure, as evidenced by the infamous B-2 crash of 2008.

On February 23, 2008, the B-2 Spirit was on a routine mission. After completing its four-month stay in Guam, the B-2, known as the “Spirit of Kansas,” was scheduled to return to its home base at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. With more than 5,000 hours of flight time, there were no signs of impending danger when taxiing to takeoff.

However, the B-2 Spirit became uncontrollable during takeoff, resulting in a catastrophic outcome. Despite the efforts of the experienced pilots at the controls, the plane’s wingtips touched the ground, spelling the demise of the Spirit of Kansas.

Left with no other choice, both pilots were forced to eject from the stricken bomber just moments before it burst into flames. Air base personnel quickly retrieved both pilots. One pilot suffered minor injuries, while the other suffered compression fractures in his spine from the spin and eventually made a full recovery.

The plane’s wreckage burned for six hours and pieces of the plane were scattered across a field of more than four acres. The consequences of the crash brought with it an enormous financial burden.

The cost of the damage was estimated at a staggering $1.4 billion. This incident not only marked the first operational loss of a B-2 Spirit bomber, but was also the costliest aircraft crash in USAF history.

The investigation into the incident uncovered a critical flaw in the aircraft’s Flight Control System (FCS), which relied on data from Port Transducer Units (PTUs) to make flight decisions.

IAF’s BrahMos and Su-30 ‘pairing’ sparks interest from Malaysia and Indonesia; Can ALCMs buy for their flankers?

These PTUs, which are responsible for calculating important environmental data such as airspeed and altitude, were affected by moisture accumulation due to Guam’s high humidity. This resulted in the FCS receiving inaccurate information, resulting in erroneous flight maneuvers and eventual crash.

Crucially, it emerged that maintainers had already identified problems with the PTU data during a deployment to Guam in 2006, but had failed to provide recommendations for activating the PTU heaters to dry them before launch .

This oversight, coupled with the lack of formal procedures, contributed to the tragic outcome of 2008. In direct response to the crash, the Air Force implemented a new standard pre-flight procedure requiring activation of PTU heaters to prevent similar incidents in the aircraft in the future.