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.