First off, don’t let the word “porn” worry you. (Never does.—Ed.) This isn’t some weird Rule 34 thing, where a guy dresses up like a B-2 Spirit and has carnal relations. (Okay, now I’m worried.—Ed.) No, this is the other kind of aviation porn: Crystal-clear footage of an incredible aircraft flying around. Mostly, it’ll make you really irritated that your mom pressured you into attending some big state university instead of following your heart to the Air Force Academy.
Despite being on verge of replacement via the new B-21 bomber, the B-2 Spirit is still a massively impressive machine. Developed in absolute secrecy during the Reagan Administration’s military build-up, it was the first (and, so far as we officially know, only) stealth bomber to go into service. Originally designed to sneak into the U.S.S.R. for potential nuclear bombing raids, the B-2 was repurposed for conventional strike missions after the Cold War ended. After its inaugural mission in the Kosovo conflict, it’s gone on to cover the skies above Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. More recently, the U.S. flew a pair of B-2s from Missouri to South Korea on a practice bombing run, with the intention of giving Kim Jong-Un a reason to think twice before rattling his saber.
If you dig planes at all, then check out the video below. It’s is full of beautiful imagery—at the 21-second mark, good lord—and uplifting, patriotic music straight out of Rocky IV. Like they say during the public radio pledge drives, it’ll only take two minutes. You already paid Northrop Grumman for tickets in tax money. Now, enjoy the show.
