B-2A Spirit Units in Combat

Description

The B-2A 'Spirit' was an aircraft conceived to fight the Cold War but which has proved invaluable to both the 'New World Order' and more recently the 'War on Terrorism'. The combination of low-observability, precision strike, range and payload flexibility has made the 'Spirit' the weapon of choice when America hits its enemies at the start of a campaign. Spirits have fired the first shots of Operation 'Allied Force' over Kosovo and Serbia, as well as operations 'Enduring Freedom' and 'Iraqi Freedom'. Despite the tremendous cost of the aircraft - each unit is literally worth its weight in gold - the B-2 has had an impact on modern warfare which has vastly exceeded this small force of 21 bombers. Developed in utmost secrecy, the B-2's gestation saw the use of new computer design and manufacturing techniques and ultra-modern synthetic materials making it the most revolutionary aircraft in terms of design and performance. This book examines these incredible aircraft.

Thomas Withington is an independent defence and aviation historian based in London. His work has appeared in 'The Financial Times', 'The Observer', 'The Guardian' and 'The Business' newspapers, as well as in specialist publications such as 'Flight International' and 'Global Defence Review'. He has written several video documentaries examining air power and he is a regular contributor to BBC radio and television, CNN and Channel Four news. He lives in Tours, France. Based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, Chris Davey has illustrated more than 20 titles for Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces, Combat Aircraft and Aviation Elite Units series since 1994. He is one of the last traditional airbrush artists in the business and has become Osprey's artist of choice for both USAAF fighters and RAF subject matter, proving his undoubted skill when dealing with large aircraft subjects such as the Halifax and Sunderland.

"This is a very worthwhile addition to the story of contemporary warfare, and a good window into the use of this somewhat enigmatic stealth aircraft." --Mike McEvoy, Scale Aircraft Modelling "Osprey's military titles are very subject-specific, allowing for a depth of focus most other general-interest surveys lack. Their latest titles are top picks military reference libraries will appreciate... Thomas Withington's B-2A Spirit Units in Combat... [is] an action-packed survey." --Midwest Book Review