The United States Orders 28 New B-2 Stealth Aircraft Worth $59 Billion — The Largest Expansion of the Program in Nearly Four Decades
The United States has made a historic move in modern defense, placing an order for 28 new B-2 Spirit stealth bombers worth an estimated $59 billion, marking the largest single expansion of the B-2 fleet in nearly 40 years. This decision underscores America’s renewed commitment to long-range stealth capabilities at a time when global military competition is reaching new levels of intensity.
Built by Northrop Grumman, the B-2 Spirit remains one of the most sophisticated aircraft ever engineered — a flying symbol of Cold War innovation that has managed to stay decades ahead of its time. With this new order, the U.S. is doubling down on an aircraft that first took flight in 1989 and has since become a legend in strategic airpower. Each aircraft carries an astonishing price tag of around $2.1 billion, making it one of the most expensive machines ever built.
Despite its age, the B-2’s relevance has never faded. Its sleek, bat-like design allows it to penetrate the most advanced radar defenses, making it capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons deep into enemy territory without detection. It has been used in major combat operations from Kosovo and Afghanistan to Libya, often taking off from U.S. soil and striking targets halfway across the world — a feat few aircraft in history can match.
Defense analysts say the order reflects Washington’s growing focus on deterrence and modernization amid rising tensions with global powers. With the B-21 Raider still in development, the Pentagon’s choice to expand the existing B-2 fleet signals an urgent need for reliable, combat-ready stealth platforms now, not later. Each bomber in this new batch will reportedly include updated avionics, advanced stealth coatings, and next-generation electronic warfare systems — upgrades designed to extend its dominance well into the 2050s.
The operational range of a B-2 tops roughly 6,000 miles without refueling, meaning a pair of pilots can deliver precision strikes from the continental U.S. to targets anywhere in the world. That range, combined with the aircraft’s invisibility on radar, is what has made the Spirit an enduring cornerstone of America’s global strike power.
The decision to build 28 new bombers comes at a time of growing defense spending and technological rivalry. While critics argue the cost is excessive, supporters within the Pentagon emphasize that the B-2’s capabilities remain unmatched. “There’s no other aircraft in the world that can do what the B-2 does,” said one defense official familiar with the program. “It’s not just a weapon — it’s a strategic message.”
The program’s total cost of $59 billion covers not just the aircraft but also production facilities, pilot training, and maintenance systems that will sustain the expanded fleet for decades. It’s a massive investment — but one that defense leaders say is necessary to ensure the United States maintains an edge in stealth and long-range deterrence as global threats evolve.
The B-2 Spirit’s legacy is already secured in history. It represents not only cutting-edge technology but also a philosophy of silent strength — the idea that deterrence sometimes works best when it can’t be seen at all. With this latest order, America is reaffirming that philosophy for a new generation, betting on the same aircraft that has silently protected it for nearly four decades.