You aren't the only one who has wondered about the history and impact of B2 bombing. This type of weapon was used worldwide by the United States during the Cold War. Numerous incidents occurred including those in Kosovo, Libya and RAF Fairford. Here are some interesting facts regarding this weapon.
Allied Force
Operation Allied Force saw the first use of the stealth bomber B-2 Spirit, as well as the first large-scale use of satellites for weapon guidance. The first use of a US joint direct attack munition kits, the JDAM, was also made. This kit increased the gravity of conventional bombs up to 95%. This system was also installed on B-2s. Operation Allied Force also saw the use of the Joint Standoff Weapon.
Kosovo
Human Rights Watch visited the spot of the August 8 B2 attack and interviewed eyewitnesses. The bridge was hit four times with the last one completely destroying it. The sanatorium was not the intended target, but the bombing killed two people on the bridge and at least four others nearby. About 400 meters from the bridge was found a crater. In its White Book, the Yugoslav government gives forensic details.
Libya
After a 25-hour mission, the B-2 Spirit bombers of the US military returned safely to their base from Libya. Two pilots were on each plane, making it one of the most expensive warplanes around. They're usually stored in climate-controlled hangars in Missouri, and their mission in Libya was to attack Libya's air defenses.
RAF Fairford
Three US Air Force B2 Stealth Bombers of the US Air Force visited RAF Fairford, in recent days. They flew in from Lajes Field, Portugal to visit the airbase and did bombing training runs. The B2 Bomber, one of the most secretive aircraft in the US Air Force, is the B2 Bomber. It is part a Bomber Task Force that consists of military personnel of the 509th Bomb Wing as well as the 131st Aircraft Wing.
Spirit of Oklahoma
The Spirit of Oklahoma B-2 stealth bomber recently left Whiteman AFB for Palmdale, Calif. It is the last Block 20 B-2 B-2 to be delivered, before it is upgraded and made Block 30. This is an important milestone for the program and should be a warning sign for future attacks.
Boeing MOP weapon
The MOP is the latest version of the Boeing missile used in B2 bombing. This weapon features seven rapid-fire, seven-barrel rapid cannons on the nosecone. It's capable of pulverizing and destroying the earth as its burrows. Its power is so great that it can cause an artificial earthquake to collapse underground facilities. This joint effort is between Boeing and several weapon developers. However, the MOP weapon presents a few challenges. The first is its delivery. The weapon must be delivered on a B-2 stealth fighter bomber in order to be effective.
Future configurations
The B-2 bomber can be used in the future for delivery of gravity nuclear weapons, conventional weapons and precision-guided standing off weapons. The aircraft has an interim GPS-aided munitions precision-guided bomb capability. However, it is not currently operational. The plane will also carry Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.