Is The B-2 Cost Efficient?

Northrop B-2A

The 70 Billion Dollar Bomber?

Northrop’s batlike B-2A Advanced Technology Bomber (ATB) has become the focus of a political debate of an intensity unseen since McNamara’s management debacle with the GD F-111 program.

The principal issue is one of cost versus benefit, the $US70 billion tag for the program is seen by critics to be totally inappropriate given the perceived utility of the aircraft. The issues at hand are however not quite as trivial nor as clear cut as many would have us believe and it is for this reason that Australian Aviation will take a somewhat closer look at this program.

B-2A- the Historical Context

The development program for the 8-2 was initiated with RFPs in 1981, won by a Northrop/Boeing team. However, long before that the Carter administration had revealed the existence of this otherwise most secret program to fend off critics who had questioned the cancellation of the overdue 8-52 replacement, the 8-1A.

This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.

Login

Become a Member

To continue reading the rest of this article, please login.

Username or Email

Password Forgot password?

Keep me signed in on this device.

If you check this box before you log in, you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return, even if you close your browser and come back later.

If you check the box above before you log in, you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return, even if you close your browser and come back later.

---

or

---

Login with a Passkey

To unlock all Australian Aviation magazine content and again unlimited access to our daily news and features, become a member today!
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.

PRINT

$49.95 for 1 year Become a Member

See benefits

• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website

MOST POPULAR

PRINT + DIGITAL

$99.95 for 1 year Become a Member

$179.95 for 2 years Become a Member

See benefits

• Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
• Access to the Australian Aviation app
• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
• Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
• Daily news updates via our email bulletin

DIGITAL

$5.99 Monthly Become a Member

$59.95 Annual Become a Member

See benefits

• Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
• Access to the Australian Aviation app
• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
• Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
• Daily news updates via our email bulletin

View more offers and details