All working B-2 Spirit nuclear bombers are due to resume flights any day now - the first aircraft will take to the skies on May 22

The US Air Force has announced that it is ready to resume flights of B-2 Spirit nuclear bombers. The first strategic aircraft will take to the skies next week.

Here's What We Know

The flight suspension has officially been lifted. It was announced by Major General Andrew J. Gebara. The return of the B-2 Spirit to the skies has been approved by the head of Global Strike Command, General Thomas A. Bussiere.

B-2 flights were suspended in December 2022 when one aircraft made an emergency landing at Whiteman and caught fire. So far, US Air Force officials have not disclosed details of the incident or how the problem was resolved. It is also not said what will happen to the bomber.

The most experienced pilots will be the first to return to the skies. The B-2 Spirit bombers will continue to fly full operational missions. The first flight after the pause will take place early next week, on 22 May.

Northrop Grumman has produced only 21 B-2s. One of them crashed in a crash in 2008. It is the most expensive plane crash in aviation history. The cost per plane, including development costs and inflation, is more than $2 billion.

19 of the 20 remaining bombers are at Whiteman base, but one is normally stationed at Edwards and used for testing. Another is stationed in Hawaii. It was on a mission in the region and landed on an island, after which it was decided to stop flying.

Source: Air & Space Forces