The US Air Force has successfully returned a severely damaged B2 Spirit bomber to flight after a four year repair effort that cost just 23.7 million dollars, a tiny fraction of the aircraft’s estimated 2 billion dollar value. The restored aircraft, known as the Spirit of Georgia, flew again on November 6 following what officials say was one of the most complex structural recoveries ever attempted on a B2.
The damage occurred in September 2021 when a hydraulic malfunction forced the stealth bomber to rely on emergency landing gear procedures at Whiteman Air Force Base. A critical lock on the left main gear failed on touchdown, causing the gear to collapse and the wing to dig into the runway. Emergency teams from the 509th Maintenance Group and the B2 System Program Office quickly stabilized the aircraft with airbags, secured the failed gear, and moved the bomber into a hangar for detailed inspection.
Engineers spent months analyzing the damage with non destructive inspections, laser dimensional mapping, and structural modeling. They discovered significant harm around the left landing gear bay and lower wing but confirmed that key outboard spars remained intact. This finding made restoration possible rather than a complete write off. After temporary strengthening work, the bomber performed a one time ferry flight on September 22, 2022 to Northrop Grumman’s major repair facility in Palmdale, California. Officials estimate this strategic move saved more than 50 million dollars and nearly a year of additional downtime.
Permanent repairs unfolded in four major phases: design, validation, structural restoration, and final airworthiness certification. One of the clever solutions involved harvesting an 8 by 4 foot composite skin panel from a retired B2 test article, eliminating the need for fabricating an entirely new component. Crews replaced major wing skins, the left wingtip, gear door hinges, and repaired numerous composite disbonds. The advanced materials work required precise heat control and airflow management to cure structural bonds inside tight internal spaces.
Another challenge involved fuel tank contamination. Technicians had to bring internal composite surfaces to near laboratory level cleanliness before applying new bonding materials. Northrop Grumman used an out of autoclave resin technology previously proven on other aircraft to accelerate the schedule and reduce risk.
Team leaders credited Air Force Global Strike Command with approving key decisions, including authorizing the temporary repairs that enabled the ferry flight and providing resources for complex scarf repairs at the depot. All structural work concluded in May 2025, paving the way for flight testing and certification.
The Spirit of Georgia’s successful return boosts readiness within the 20 aircraft B2 fleet, a cornerstone of America’s long range strike and nuclear deterrence capabilities. As program officials noted, restoring the aircraft was not just about saving a single bomber but safeguarding the long term viability of one of the nation’s most important strategic assets.
