Potato Head bombs” by one munitions specialist-allows the service to tailor bombs to the mission. The B-2 uses both air and liquid cooling to keep temperatures down.įinally, another article details what factors Air Force personnel take into consideration when arming bombers for missions, and how the modular nature of the bombs-described as “Mr. Ground crews must also devise ways to keep the heat down in the B-2, as the introduction of new power-hungry systems increases heat levels inside the aircraft. More than 250 materials make up the B-2’s stealthy coating, designed to help minimize the bomber’s radar signature, and in many instances tolerances must be “within a thousandth of an inch.”
B2 SPIRIT COCKPIT FULL
I never wanted anyone to think I had gotten to where I was because of being a woman.The full video shows the bat-winged bomber, part of the 13th Bomb Squadron of the 509th Bomb Wing, cozying up to a KC-135 Stratotanker for refueling.Īnother article describes the unique issues B-2 maintainers deal with to keep the bomber stealthy and available for action. “I didn’t want that to be a reason that I succeeded. “I didn’t want to use it to my advantage, ever,” she said. “I’m proud of myself,” Avery said, but at the same time she didn’t want her gender to be a factor in her achievements. Not long after becoming a B-2 pilot, she was the first female to pilot the stealth bomber in combat, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. She was the first female pilot to fly the B-1 in combat. It continued during her college years at Georgia Institute of Technology, where she loved hearing the sound of F-15 fighter jets buzzing over her apartment.Īfter graduating and commissioning as a second lieutenant in the Air Force, Avery earned her wings and was sent to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., to fly the B-1 Lancer.
B2 SPIRIT COCKPIT SIMULATOR
Her fascination with aviation started when she was just a child and her Uncle Bill took her into an aircraft simulator at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
Please Consider Disabling Your Ad Blocker “To be able to fly such a unique aircraft that is the backbone of our nation’s nuclear-deterrence defense was a dream come true,” Avery said. I feel shocked that it’s me, because I’m just me.”īefore her flight that day, the B-2’s two-person cockpit had to be modified with privacy curtains around the small toilet, which is necessary because the B-2 is capable of long-duration sorties with its lengthiest ever clocking in at 44 consecutive hours. He did.īut, it in no way hindered Avery’s flight - which she completed successfully - becoming the first female pilot to fly the B-2 stealth bomber. So, she wore one glove backwards and hoped the instructor pilot sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with her didn’t notice. Avery didn’t realize this until she was in the cockpit and it was time to taxi. She was so excited - and nervous - that when she was collecting her parachute, helmet and other gear, she grabbed two right-handed gloves. Each has a common theme of strength, perseverance, making a long-time dream come true - and inspiring future generations.ĭuring the month of March, we will be featuring the 10 women. Their collective story began 19 years ago in 2002. “I feel honored to be among them and I know there will be many more of us that follow.” “Nine incredible women have come before me, blazing this trail,” Kram says. Lauren Kram, graduated from her training course at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Oct. The 10th woman to become a B-2 pilot, Capt. About 500 of them have been pilots - only 10 of whom have been women. In the B-2’s 30 year history, there have been nearly 700 people airborne in the two-person cockpit of the $2.2 billion stealth bomber.
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