Washington
CNN
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The Air Force’s fleet of B-2 Spirit bombers was temporarily grounded after one of its aircraft experienced an in-flight malfunction earlier this month.
On December 10th, B-2 make an emergency landing Damaged on the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. No one was injured in the accident and there was no ammunition on board, according to a spokesperson for the Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing. announced in a few days To inspect it further, there is a “safe pause” of the fleet.
The 509th Bomb Wing said: news release On Tuesday night, Standdown was ordered by Air Force Global Strike Command, and the B-2 fleet “can fly when directed by the Commander-in-Chief to meet mission requirements.”
Master sergeant. Beth Del Vecchio, spokesperson for the 509th Bombardment Wing, confirmed Tuesday that B-2 flights are currently suspended as the fleet undergoes inspections, stating, “End of safe suspension. The date has not been guessed,” he said.
“Every incident is unique and we are currently evaluating incidents and ways to mitigate future risks,” said Del Vecchio. “Normal operations will resume once the secure pause ends.”
An Air Force spokesperson said Tuesday that the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base is currently closed due to debris. A news release from the 509th Bomb Wing on Tuesday said it would resume once the debris has been cleared and that B-2 operations “will resume when the safety standdown ends.”
The B-2 Spirit is a versatile heavy bomber that can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. A fleet of stealth aircraft is housed at Whiteman.according to to the air forceThe first B-2 was delivered to Whiteman in 1993 and quickly proved its combat effectiveness in the NATO Allied Operation against Serbia, and later in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The B-2 and B-1 are expected to be replaced by the Air Force’s new B-21 Raider, a new stealth bomber unveiled by Northrop Grumman earlier this month. It was the first time a new US bomber had been shown to the public since the B-2 Spirit.