![]() ![]() No one was injured, and the bomber didn't catch fire. The last major incident with a B-2 prior to the runway fire happened in September 2021, when a stealth bomber rolled off the runway at Whiteman. "While the B-2 fleet safety pause is officially over, our ability to deliver nuclear deterrence and provide long-range strike was never in doubt." "Throughout the fleet safety pause, our ability to execute our mission was never at risk: The B-2 fleet could still fly missions on the orders of the President of the United States or in support of the National Command Authority," Vidal said in an emailed statement. ![]() Vidal said the fleet was still operational during the safety pause. nuclear triad, which also includes nuclear ballistic missiles on land and nuclear submarines at sea. The stealth bomber is a key air component of the U.S. The same day as the B-2 fire, the fleet safety pause was ordered. Each B-2 bomber costs approximately $1.157 billion. There are only 20 B-2 bombers in the Air Force's fleet, according to a service fact sheet, meaning that putting one out of commission can cause a notable impact to bombing missions. It took 11 days for the base to clear the B-2 from the runway. Beth Del Vecchio, a spokesman for Whiteman's 509th Bomb Wing, told at the time that there were no injuries as a result of the sudden landing or subsequent blaze. Vidal said the information is "privileged" and added that there will be an Aircraft Investigation Board report on why the B-2 caught fire "at some point in the future."Ī B-2 Spirit stealth bomber caught fire at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on Dec. ![]()
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