US Air Force displays formation of 8 B-2 Spirit Bombers in impressive ‘elephant walk’
- An ‘elephant walk’ maneuver showcases that a base is ready to deploy multiple aircraft
- The US Air Force has only 20 20 B-2 Spirit stealth bombers in its entire arsenal
- It’s approximately $16 Billion in stealth bombers on a single runway
Published on Apr 14, 2024 at 11:04 AM (UTC+4)
by Nalin Rawat
Last updated on Apr 15, 2024 at 2:57 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Siddharth Dudeja
In a stunning display of power, eight B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers of the US Air Force (USAF) executed an ‘elephant walk’ maneuver.
An ‘elephant walk’ maneuver showcases that a base and its constituent units are ready and can quickly launch a large number of aircraft in a crisis.
The maneuver was performed at the Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, during the Spirit Vigilance 2022 training exercise.
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The US Air Force currently only has 20 B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers in its entire arsenal.
This means the eight aircraft that took part in the exercise, account for 40% of the Spirit Stealth Bomber fleet in service.
That’s approximately $16 Billion in Stealth Bombers consigned to a single location.
That’s quite impressive, right?
Ultimately, the exercise aimed to showcase the base’s capability to deploy multiple B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.
The Whiteman Air Force Base also posted a short video of all eight aircraft performing an ‘elephant walk’ maneuver.
The video also shows the B-2 Spirit stealth bombers taking off and landing on the base.
Obviously, seeing multiple advanced military aircraft all in one place is quite a sight.
Although, let’s not forget that the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is a powerful leg of the US nuclear triad.
Interestingly, the aircraft can also refuel in the air, extending its range infinitely.
However, the US military has also unveiled its successor, the B-21 Raider, worth $700 million.
The new bomber will gradually replace the aging B1-Lancer and B-2 Spirit stealth bombers that are currently in service.
But it will take years to induct the B-21 Raider officially into the US Air Force fleet.
Till then, the military will rely on the good old B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers.
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Nalin started his career by working with various national newspapers in India. He has also worked as a writer/editor for many popular websites, while still pursuing his journalism and mass communication degree. Working as a digital nomad has allowed him to inform and educate through his work. When he is not writing, you can find him playing video games or travelling the mountains on his bike.
