B2 Spirit
B2 Spirit
Disclaimer – Although the digital aircraft model for which this manual is written resembles its real-world counterpart, neither the model nor this
manual can or should be used as a source of real-world information about the operation or maintenance of the corresponding aircraft and is a
work of fiction. Additionally, this package is not endorsed by or supported by the Northrop Grumman Corporation or its affiliates, or by the
United States Air Force, the United States Department of Defense, or the Government of the United States of America.
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Lead Developers
• Evan Burns – Principal Software Engineer, Avionics, Fly-By-Wire, and Animation
• Aaron Kullman – Art Director, Flight Physics Modeling, VFX, and Documentation
Contributors:
• 3D visual modeling and artwork from 4DArchitect, WarpedStudios, and Adam Burry
• Sound Pack by Echo19 Studios
• Marketing and Beta Test Support by Zak Priest (Chunky)
• QA and Beta Test Support by Yash Thakker
Thank you to every member of the flight simulation community whose enthusiastic support,
encouragement, and love of aviation and military aviation simulation kept us going. And a special
thank you to our families and friends without whose support we couldn’t have persevered to
make this model a reality.
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Table of Contents
THE B-2A SPIRIT STEALTH BOMBER ................................................................................................ 7
ABOUT THE B-2 ........................................................................................................................... 7
A VERY SHORT HISTORY OF THE B-2’S DEVELOPMENT ........................................................... 8
B-2A SPIRIT DESIGN AND SYSTEMS ......................................................................................... 9
INTRODUCTION TO SERVICE AND UPGRADES ...................................................................... 14
AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS (B-2A SPIRIT BLOCK 30) ..................................................................... 17
NOTAMS (REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF TO READ FIRST) ................................................................. 19
MINIMUM HARDWARE RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................... 19
DISCLAIMERS ABOUT THE MODEL AND THIS MANUAL ............................................................ 19
WARRANTY AND LICENSING INFORMATION ............................................................................ 20
A WORD ON SOFTWARE PIRACY ............................................................................................... 21
PRODUCT SUPPORT AND UPDATES .......................................................................................... 21
MSFS SIMULATION LIMITATIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS MODEL ...................................... 22
WEAPON DISPLAY ADD-ON ....................................................................................................... 22
MODEL FEATURES AND CAPABILITIES ........................................................................................... 23
THE SIMULATED COCKPIT AND GENERAL SYSTEMS DISCUSSION ................................................. 26
COCKPIT OVERVIEW DIAGRAM / THE “BIG PICTURE” .............................................................. 26
ELECTRONIC FLIGHT BOOK (SIMULATION CONFIGURATION CONTROL) .................................. 27
SIM CONFIGURATION CONTROL SCREEN.............................................................................. 27
G3000 INTERFACE ................................................................................................................. 28
LEFT UPPER CONSOLE ............................................................................................................... 29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SUBPANEL ............................................................................................ 29
COMMUNICATIONS CONTROL SUBPANEL ............................................................................ 29
LEFT CONSOLE ........................................................................................................................... 30
LEFT AUXILIARY CONSOLE ......................................................................................................... 31
LANDING GEAR SUBPANEL .................................................................................................... 31
V-V (Vertical Velocity Indicator) Gauge ................................................................................. 31
FORWARD VISIBILITY LIGHTING AND BRAKE CONROLS SUBPANEL ...................................... 31
LEFT MAIN INSTRUMENT PANEL ............................................................................................... 32
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GLARESHIELD ............................................................................................................................ 33
OVERHEAD CONTROL PANEL..................................................................................................... 34
CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL .................................................................................................... 35
CID (CENTER INFORMATION DISPLAY SCREEN) ..................................................................... 35
FUEL SYSTEM SUBPANEL ....................................................................................................... 35
CENTER PEDESTAL CONSOLE ..................................................................................................... 36
DEP ........................................................................................................................................ 36
BLEED AIR SUBPANEL ............................................................................................................ 36
OXY SUBPANEL ...................................................................................................................... 36
ECS SUBPANEL ....................................................................................................................... 37
ANTI-ICE SUBPANEL............................................................................................................... 37
FCS MAINT............................................................................................................................. 37
CLOCK .................................................................................................................................... 38
CABIN PRESSURE GAUGE ...................................................................................................... 38
EJECTION SEAT .......................................................................................................................... 38
REAR CABIN AREA OVERVIEW................................................................................................... 39
MULTI-PURPOSE DISPLAY UNITS AND FEATURES.......................................................................... 39
PRIMARY (CENTER) MULTI-PURPOSE DISPLAY UNIT ................................................................. 40
NAV: (PRIMARY FLIGHT DISPLAY) .......................................................................................... 40
STAT: AIRCRAFT SUMMARY STATUS PAGE ............................................................................. 41
ENG: ENGINE OPERATING DATA PAGE .................................................................................. 42
TFR: FORWARD LOOKING INFRARED SIMULATION ............................................................... 43
FUEL: FUEL SYSTEM INFORMATION PAGE............................................................................. 44
FCH – HYD and FCS:............................................................................................................... 45
FCS: FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM STATUS PAGE ....................................................................... 45
ELEC: AIRCRAFT’S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DIAGRAM AND STATUS .......................................... 46
ECS: ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEM STATUS ............................................................... 47
RDR: Blank – placeholder for future update ......................................................................... 47
WPN: PAGE IS INOP AT THIS TIME......................................................................................... 47
HSD: HORIZONTAL SITUATION DISPLAY, AKA, HSI DISPLAY ................................................... 48
DATA: SUMMARY AIRCRAFT POSITION AND SPEED DATA.................................................... 49
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The B-2 Spirit was developed to take over the USAF's vital penetration missions, allowing it to
travel deep into enemy territory to deploy ordnance, which could include nuclear weapons. The
B-2 is a flying wing aircraft, meaning that it has no fuselage or tail. It has significant advantages
over previous bombers due to its blend of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic
efficiency and a large payload. Low observability provides greater freedom of action at high
altitudes, thus increasing both range and field of view for onboard sensors.
Approximately 80 pilots are assigned to fly the B-2 at any one time. Each aircraft has a crew of
two, a pilot in the left seat and mission commander in the right, and has provisions for a third
crew member if needed. The B-2 is highly automated, and one crew member can sleep in a
camp bed, use a toilet, or prepare a hot meal while the other monitors the aircraft, unlike most
two-seat military aircraft.
In 1978, the Carter administration secretly authorized the start of a stealth bomber program,
termed the Advanced Technology Bomber (ATB). A bomber was sought which could replace the
recently-cancelled B-1A in Air Force future plans and, in addition, also replace the B-52, which
was by that time nearly a quarter-century old. The requirements were set by the needs of the
Cold War--this aircraft would use low-observable technology to make it possible to penetrate
unobserved for hundreds of miles into Soviet airspace with a full load of nuclear weapons.
In September of 1980, the USAF issued a request for proposals for an Advanced Technology
Bomber (ATB). Since the costs and technological challenges both promised to be steep,
collaborative efforts between different aerospace companies were encouraged. Two groups of
competitors appeared-- Lockheed teamed with Rockwell and Northrop teamed with both
Boeing and Ling-Temco-Vought. Northrop was responsible for the forward center body and
cockpit, the leading and trailing edges, and the control surfaces, as well as for final assembly
and the overall coordination of the project. Boeing was given responsibility for the aft center
section and the weapons pay, plus the outboard wing sections and the landing gear. Ling-
Temco-Vought was given responsibility for the wing intermediate sections with their engine
intakes and exhausts (LTV was subsequently acquired by Northrop Grumman). Final assembly
would take place at Site 4, USAF Plant 42 at Palmdale, California.
There is much written about the painful, protracted, and expensive birth of the B-2A Spirit. The
internet and several books written by knowledgeable parties can provide interesting reading
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about the Carter and Reagan era acquisition and development of the B-2A and the impact
changing mission requirements and global politics had on the ultimate cost, development
delays, and production run of this remarkable aircraft.
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light sensor which alerts the pilot to increase or reduce altitude to match the changing
illuminance of the sky. The original design had tanks for a contrail-inhibiting chemical, but this
was replaced in production aircraft by a contrail sensor that alerts the crew when they should
change altitude. The B-2 is vulnerable to visual interception at ranges of 20 nautical miles (23
mi; 37 km) or less.
Most of the surface of the B-2A is covered with a special elastomeric material which is designed
to maintain a uniform conductivity over the surface to reduce reflections from joints or seams.
Those areas which cannot by their nature be totally stealthy in their design (such as air intakes)
are coated by radar-absorbent material (RAM), the composition of which is highly classified.
RAM is a multi-layer sprayed-on elastomer which consists of an active element which converts
radar energy into heat. The basic idea is to place a coating on the aircraft which is of the proper
thickness so that the small reflection from the front face of the material is exactly cancelled out
by a residual reflection from the rear face. A similar principle is used in coated optics for
binoculars and telescopes to eliminate unwanted light reflections. Innovations such as alternate
high frequency material (AHFM) and automated material application methods were also
incorporated to improve the aircraft's radar-absorbent properties and reduce maintenance
requirements. In early 2004, Northrop Grumman began applying a newly developed AHFM to
operational B-2s.
Reportedly, the B-2 has a radar cross-section (RCS) of about 0.1 m2 (1.1 sq ft). The bomber does
not always fly stealthily; when nearing air defenses pilots "stealth up" the B-2 via its penetration
mode, a maneuver whose details are secret. The aircraft is then stealthy, except briefly when
the bomb bay opens. The B-2's clean, low-drag flying wing configuration not only provides
exceptional range but is also beneficial to reducing its radar profile. Without vertical surfaces to
reflect radar laterally, side aspect radar cross section is also reduced. Radars operating at a
lower frequency band (S or L band) are able to detect and track certain stealth aircraft that have
multiple control surfaces, like canards or vertical stabilizers, where the frequency wavelength
can exceed a certain threshold and cause a resonant effect.
To protect the operational integrity of its sophisticated radar absorbent material and coatings,
each B-2 is kept inside a climate-controlled hangar (Extra Large Deployable Aircraft Hangar
System) large enough to accommodate its 172-foot (52 m) wingspan. While deployed away
from Whiteman AFB, B-2s are supported by portable, environmentally-controlled hangars called
B-2 Shelter Systems (B2SS). The hangars are built by American Spaceframe Fabricators Inc. and
cost approximately US$5 million apiece. The need for specialized hangars arose in 1998 when it
was found that B-2s passing through Andersen Air Force Base on Guam did not have the
climate-controlled environment maintenance operations required. B2SS hangars are known to
have been deployed to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford.
There is no vertical fin. Unlike conventional aircraft, the B-2A is directionally neutral in yaw,
which means that there are no aerodynamic pressures which would force it back to forward
flight were it to yaw either left or right. Yaw control is provided by a set of Northrop-patented
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brake-rudders on the outer trailing edges of the wing. The very outermost pair of surfaces can
split apart horizontally, one side moving up and the other side down. They can operate
symmetrically as speed brakes and asymmetrically as rudders, and they are known as brake-
rudders. The brake-rudders are the primary means of yaw control, but because of the boundary
layer over the wing the surfaces are ineffective until they have moved at least five degrees from
their neutral positions. In normal flight, the brake-rudders are set at the "5 and 5" position, that
is, they are ordinarily slightly displaced so that they can be immediately effective when control
is needed. However, open rudders are incompatible with stealth (especially from the rear), so
the brake-rudders have to be locked shut when the B-2A is going into a combat zone. It is
believed that differential engine thrust is used for yaw control when the B-2A is in full stealth
mode. but the real means of control is classified.
The aircraft is inherently unstable, but is rendered stable by a quadruplex fly-by-wire system
that can automatically manipulate flight control surfaces without direct pilot inputs in order to
maintain aircraft stability. The flight computer receives inputs from pitot-static sensing plates, as
opposed to pitot tubes which would negatively affect stealth; there are five groups of air data
sensors located on the leading edges of the wing just ahead of the windshield. The flight control
computer units were developed by General Electric. The B-2 is fitted with eight actuator remote
terminals spread out along the wing span which receive their instructions from the GE flight
control computer via a quadruplex digital data bus. The remote terminals issue analog
commands to the actuators and control all of the necessary feedback loops. These provide input
to the fly-by-wire system--the system compares air pressures to determine the angle of attack
and the amount of sideslip. The flight actuation system incorporates both hydraulic and
electrical servo-actuated components, and was designed with a high level of redundancy and
fault-diagnostic capabilities.
The B-2A is powered by four General Electric F118-GE-11 non-afterburning turbofans, each
rated at 19,000 lb.s.t. The F118 engine was based on the F101-X, a fighter engine originally
derived from the F101 engine that powered the B-1 and its successor the F110. Compared with
the F101, the F101-X had a smaller low-pressure spool which reduced the bypass ratio from 2:1
to 0.87 to 1. A lower bypass ratio engine was selected because it would need a smaller exhaust
and inlet system than that of a high bypass ratio engine. The engines are seated in pairs in
engine bays buried inside the wings just outboard of the central fuselage.
The engine inlets are set far back from the leading edge, thus shielding them from radar
emissions coming from below. The inlet region resembles two supercritical wing sections in
series. The first is the area behind the leading edge, where the airflow accelerates to supersonic
speed and is then recompressed to subsonic speed before being swallowed by the main inlet
and the auxiliary boundary layer suppression scoop. The second supercritical section comprises
the region from the inlet lip to the exhaust exit, where the flow is accelerated and
recompressed once again.
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The engine air intakes were a special challenge, since they are absolutely necessary but
represent a ready source of unwanted radar reflections. One of the major problems is the
danger that enemy radar signals might reach the whirling blades of the turbofan engines,
producing reflections so intense that the enemy can not only readily detect the aircraft but can
often even tell the type of aircraft that is present. Unlike in the F-117A, the intakes are not
covered by radar absorptive grids. Instead, the engines are buried completely within the wing,
and are fed by S-shaped inlet ducts which completely conceal the compressor faces from direct
line-of-sight illumination by radar. RAM is used to cover the duct walls to suppress any radar
energy that could bounce off the duct walls to reach the engines. As additional insurance, the
lips of the air intakes are serrated in order to scatter enemy radar emissions, preventing them
from being returned to their source. For maintenance, the engines are accessed via hatches in
the underside of the aircraft. These hatches have serrated edges to suppress unwanted radar
reflections.
Early wind tunnel testing showed that there was a certain amount of flow separation inside the
highly curved intake duct, leading to a loss of power at low speeds. To prevent this, a pair of
retractable auxiliary inlet scoops (EAIDs) were added to the upper wing surface, immediately
above the engines. These open at low speeds to increase the air flow to the engines.
Ahead of each air intake inlet is a serrated slit-like auxiliary inlet which removes the turbulent
boundary layer air, preventing it from entering the engine. This boundary layer air is then mixed
with the exhaust to cool its temperature and reduce the infrared signature of the aircraft, part
of its low observable systems.
An equally demanding challenge was presented by the engine exhausts. The B-2A engine
exhausts are designed to minimize the infrared signature, making it more difficult for enemy
infrared detection systems to pinpoint the aircraft. Since most long-range IR sensors such as the
infrared search and track systems fitted to some fighters and the homing heads of IR-guided
missiles operate by detecting the radiation from the hot gas and water vapor emitted by the
engines, considerable work has gone into reducing the infrared signature of the B-2. One of
these involves the cooling of the engine exhaust as quickly and efficiently as possible. The B-2
exhausts are built into the top of the wing, with the primary nozzles well ahead of the trailing
edge. The engine exhausts feed into a pair of soft-lipped trenches, which flare outward. The
engines are fitted with flow mixers that blend the hot core exhaust stream with the cold
boundary layer air which is swallowed by the secondary inlets. The exhausts are wide and flat,
so the perimeter of the plume is longer than the perimeter of a round exhaust stream, and
mixing takes place more quickly. The interaction between the exhaust stream and the airflow
over the aircraft, at each side of the exhaust "trench", creates a vortex which cools the exhaust
still further.
The B-2A has a crew of two, seated side by side on individual ACES II ejection seats, with the
pilot on the left and the mission commander on the right. They are seated well to the rear of
rather large windshields which fit flush with the surface of the center body airframe. The crew
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gain access to the crew compartment via a ventral hatch located to the port side of the nose
gear bay door. In an emergency, the crew members eject upward through frangible panels in the
roof of the aircraft. The mission commander is responsible for navigation and weapons delivery,
but either crew member has the ability to perform the complete mission. Each crew station has
four cathode ray tube color displays, with a flight data computer entry panel to the right and a
set of throttles to the left
The navigation system for the B-2A initially combined two types of units, either of which is
capable of navigating the aircraft on its own. However, greater accuracy is obtained when they
operate in conjunction. One is a Kearfott inertial measurement unit and the other is a Northrop
NAS-26 astro-inertial unit. The NAS-26 was originally developed for the Snark long-range cruise
missile and is based on a stabilized electro-optical telescope which locks onto a pre-selected star
even in cloudy daylight. The observation port for the system is to the left of the windshield.
At shorter ranges, infrared radiation emitted by the skin of the aircraft itself is a problem. This
unwanted infrared radiation can be generated by reflected sunlight as well as by friction with
the air passing over the skin of the aircraft. Infrared-absorbent paints are commonly used to
absorb infrared light from sunlight, preventing it from being reflected from the surfaces. This
results in an aircraft with an overall gray color. Heat generated by air friction cannot be affected
by an absorbing paint, but coatings have been developed which change the emissivity of the
surface, causing the infrared emission to take place in bands which are strongly absorbed by the
atmosphere, making it less likely that a nearby detection system can see it.
The B-2A is capable of midair refueling, via a receptacle for a refueling boom that is installed in
the upper fuselage behind the cockpit. In the interest of stealth, this receptacle rotates out of
the way when not in use, presenting a smooth upper surface. At cruising altitude, the B-2A
typically refuels every six hours, taking on up to 50 tons (45,000 kg) of fuel at a time.
The B-2A was equipped with the GM-Hughes Electronics AN/APQ-181 radar. The radar
installation is designed to achieve Low Probability of Interception (LPI). LPI is achieved by using
the least amount of energy required to detect and track the target, while encoding the signal to
make it difficult for the enemy to distinguish it from random noise. There are two separate
electronically-scanned antennae for this radar, one in each of the lower leading edges of the
wings just outboard of the cockpit. There are 20 modes that the radar can use, including
synthetic aperture radar mode and terrain following and terrain avoidance modes. There is a
ground moving target indication mode that can detect vehicles on the ground and an air-to-air
mode that can be used during inflight refueling. Many features of this radar suite are still highly
classified.
The B-2A does not have any defensive armament, relying instead on a Defensive Management
Subsystem (DMS) to provide protection against threats. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and
Honeywell have all provided components for the system. Although details of the system are
largely classified, the primary component is believed to be the Lockheed Martin AN/APR-50
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(sometimes known as ZSR-63). The APR-50 is designed to detect, classify, identify, and locate
any hostile system that emits radio-frequency radiation. The system receives inputs from
antenna distributed across the airframe, and the electronics system performs automated signal
processing and analysis and presents real-time updates to the crew.
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Block 30 B-2As are considered the definitive operational configuration. The Block 30
modifications include removal and replacement of all the aircraft's edges, including the leading
edges and control surfaces. The RAM coating is of an improved type. Improved avionics
software makes it possible to achieve a terrain-following mode as low as 200 feet. The DMS
system adds Band 4, allowing crews to re-plan their mission in flight. The Block 30 is integrated
with the transportable Air Force Mission Support System (AFMSS) which is designed to integrate
the B-2 with other USAF operations all throughout the world. This replaces the Strategic Mission
Development and Planning System (SMDPS), which was intended for the nuclear mission only
and was never intended to be used outside the B-2's main base. The last two B-2As were
originally built to Block 30 standards, with the first Block 30 B-2A being delivered in August of
1997. Earlier Block 10 B-2s were traded back to Northrop Grumman for retrofit into Block 20
and Block 30 standards on a planned, staggered schedule. By the end of 2000, all 21 B-2s were
brought up to Block 30 standards.
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out of a total of 34,000 NATO sorties during the operation, they dropped 11 percent of all
bombs.
The B-2 holds the record for the longest air combat mission in history, when the Spirit of
America entered Afghan airspace during a record-setting 44-hour+ non-stop flight in support
of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001. Supported by midair refueling, the B-2 flew from
Whiteman AFB in Missouri, flying non-stop for over 44 hours before making a brief hot pit
refueling stop and crew change at Diego Garcia, then flying back to Whiteman AFB, for a total of
over 70 hours of continuous operation without an engine shutdown. Five other B-2s also flew
sorties of comparable length during the same 3-day period, but Spirit of America still holds the
record for longest non-stop flying mission.
In March 2011, B-2s were the first U.S. aircraft into action in Operation Odyssey Dawn, the UN
mandated enforcement of the Libyan no-fly zone. Three B-2s dropped 40 bombs on a Libyan
airfield in support of the UN no-fly zone. The B-2s flew directly from the U.S. mainland across
the Atlantic Ocean to Libya; a B-2 was refueled by allied tanker aircraft four times during each
round-trip mission.
On February 23, 2008, B-2A serial number 89 0127 AV-12 MSN 1012 “Spirit of Kansas” crashed
on takeoff from Andersen AFB, Guam (509th BW, 393rd BS). Both crew members ejected safely,
but the aircraft was destroyed. This was the first and, so far, the only B-2 lost. The estimated loss
was $1.4 billion, which made it the most expensive crash in the history of the United States Air
Force. The cause of the crash was determined to be moisture left in the aircraft's Port
Transducer Units during air data calibration, which distorted the information being sent to the
bomber's air data system. As a result, the flight control computers calculated an inaccurate
airspeed, and a negative angle of attack, causing the aircraft to pitch upward 30 degrees during
takeoff.
A total of 20 B-2s remain in service with the USAF, and the B-2 will remain in service until
eventually replaced by its successor, the B-21 Raider.
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General characteristics
Crew: 2: pilot (left seat) and mission commander (right seat)
Length: 69 ft 0 in (21.0 m)
Wingspan: 172 ft 0 in (52.4 m)
Height: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
Wing area: 5,140 sq ft (478 m2)
Empty weight: Approx. 158,000 lb (71,700 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 336,500 lb (152,200 kg)
Max Airborne Weight: 376,000 lb (170,600 kg)
Fuel capacity: 167,000 pounds (75,750 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × General Electric F118-GE-100 non-afterburning turbofans, 19,000 lbf (77 kN)
thrust each
Performance
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Maximum speed: 630 mph (1,010 km/h, 550 kn) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m) altitude / Mach 0.96+
Cruise speed: 560 mph (900 km/h, 488 kn) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m) altitude / Mach 0.85
Range: 6,900 mi (11,000 km, 6,000 nmi)
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,200 m)
Wing loading: 67.3 lb/sq ft (329 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight at MTOW: 0.225
Armament Includes:
2 internal bays for ordnance and payload with an official limit of 40,000 lb (18,000 kg);
maximum estimated limit is 50,000+ lb (23,000 kg)
80× 500 lb (230 kg) class bombs (Mk-82, GBU-38) mounted on Bomb Rack Assembly (BRA)
36× 750 lb (340 kg) CBU class bombs on BRA
16× 2,000 lb (910 kg) class bombs (Mk-84, GBU-31) mounted on Rotary Launcher Assembly
(RLA)
16× B61 or B83 nuclear bombs on RLA (strategic mission)
Standoff weapon: AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface
Standoff Missile (JASSM)
2× GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator
REFERENCES:
Joe Baugher https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/newb2_1.html
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_B-2_Spirit
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Xbox Series X is recommended. The Series S may support the B-2A, but the lower processing
and video RAM may cause unexpected / undesirable performance issues.
A dedicated control input device such as a joystick, yoke, or HOTAS type control device with
dedicated rudder controls or alternatively an Xbox type compatible controller is strongly
recommended, though keyboard flight control inputs are supported.
the B-2A model, nor this manual are endorsed by or supported by Northrop Grumman
Corporation, or its subcontractors or affiliates in the development and production of the B-2A,
nor by the United States Air Force or the Government of the United States of America.
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(iv) Use TMS’s SOFTWARE PRODUCT to engage in or allow others to engage in any illegal activity,
(v) Use TMS’s SOFTWARE PRODUCT in a way that will interfere with or damage the operation of
the services of any third parties, including Microsoft Corporation and Asobo Studio,
(vi) Sell our SOFTWARE PRODUCT or charge others for use of it or use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT
either directly or indirectly for commercial purposes (either for profit or merely to recover your
media and distribution costs), whether as a stand-alone product, or as part of a compilation or
anthology, or as part of a derivative work without explicit prior written permission of TMS,
(vii) Use our SOFTWARE PRODUCT to engage in any activity that will violate the rights of third
parties, including, without limitation, through the use, public display, public performance,
reproduction, distribution, or modification of communications or materials that infringe
copyrights, trademarks, publicity rights, privacy rights, other proprietary rights, or rights against
defamation of third parties.
(viii) claim any sponsorship by, endorsement by, or affiliation with TMS, without explicit prior
written permission of TMS.
TMS is the sole copyright holder, with all rights reserved, to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT,
notwithstanding those copyrights and trademarks maintained or owned by Lockheed Martin
and its affiliates and partners OR by the Government of the United States of America.
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Top Mach Studios provides direct customer support via its Discord server support channels,
which can be found on Discord by searching Top Mach Studios, LLC
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Highly detailed fully custom 3D cockpit modeling and avionics suite with:
• Highly detailed modeling and texturing of cockpit, rear cabin, crew entry area, all control
panels, and interior detailing developed with careful attention to real world reference
photographs.
• Detailed ACES II ejection seat models
• Fully Functional MDUs (using fully customized instrumentation suite) including critical
aircraft information displays, FLIR simulation, crew alerting system alerts, customized
tactical top down radar type display, fuel management, electrical system status, etc…
• Robust crew alerting system messages system alerting on a variety of information,
caution, and warning messages and associated sound effects including b****ing
Betty/Brian alerts with acknowledge / mute functions on glareshield master warning,
caution, and fire alerts panel.
• FLIR (forward looking infra-red) simulation using synthetic vision display with instrument
overlays for night and low visibility flying
• Highly functional and customized Flight Management Computer (DEP) module with
many features and functions for flight planning, instrument flight, navigation, and
communication.
• Center Information Display unit with backup instrumentation, detailed custom-
programmed moving map display, large format Crew Alerting System alerts
• Interactive Checklist System in Center Information Display that mirrors the detailed
checklists found in this document.
• Canopy interior reflections and rain effects
• All buttons, knobs, and switches in the cockpit are animated and many are functional or
emulate system functionality and drive crew alerting system messages.
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• Full exterior Lighting Systems include custom landing and taxi lighting, navigation lights,
and beacons; all modeled after the actual aircraft, with correct lighting positions and
transparencies.
• Multiple custom cameras in cockpit and exterior views
• Highly realistic sound suite for exterior sounds based on B-2 and F118/F110 engine
sounds, tuned with exacting attention to real-world B-2 exterior sound-scape.
• 3D Fly-By sound experience for fly-overs and exterior fly-bys. Experience the thundering
sound experience of four huge military turbofan engines.
• Highly immersive interior sounds replicating sounds for all major systems and sub-
systems and customer interactions within the cockpit environment
• Aural voice alerts and tones for a wide variety of Crew Alerting System alerts
• Wind and drag induced ambient and reactive sound effects for landing gear, weapon
bay doors, speed brakes, high speed wind blast, and others.
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The diagram above shows the cockpit layout. The numbered items are the various consoles and
panels that contain instruments and controls for the B-2.
1. EFB (Electronic Flight Bag)
2. Left Upper Console
3. Left Lower Console
4. Left Auxiliary Console
5. Left Main Instrument Panel and Glareshield
6. Overhead Control Panel
7. Center Instrument Panel
8. Right Main Instrument Panel
9. Center Pedestal Console
10. Right Auxiliary Console
11. Right Upper Console
12. Right Lower Console
13. Ejection Seats
What follows is a summary description of each of the subpanels where functional controls or
instruments can be found. If a subpanel lacks a description, this means that there is not a
control or instrument in that subpanel that has functional importance within this model. This
doesn’t mean it can’t be interacted with or explored as we’ve animated all cockpit controls and
incorporated realistic behaviors where appropriate.
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The EFB OPTIONS tab has the following notes to help with understanding when and how items
will display:
- AIRCREW: display pilot figurines with optional positions for mission commander. To display or
hide the pilot’s head click on the torso of the pilot. To raise or lower the pilot’s visor click on the
visor area when the head is displayed. To hid or display pilot gloves, click on the right hand of
the Pilot figurine or left hand of the Mission Commander figurine.
- MSN Cmdr Pos: Changes the display location of the mission commander (co-pilot) figurine.
- Active MDUS: Allows for freeze of one or the other side of the main panel displays to improve
display performance on lower end computing devices. Improvement is modest.
- RBF Tags and Wheel Chocks – Displays a variety of remove before flight flags and tags when
engines are off and aircraft is not moving on the ground. Weapon door and boarding ladder RBF
tags will display when they are open. Wheel chocks will display with engines running.
- Weapons With the weapon mod installed (PC only) a weapon display option will appear in the
EFB; weapon loading (all or nothing at this time) will load all sixteen stations with a mix of GBU-
31s and AGM 158 cruise missiles and the weapon carts and munitions loader will display
weapons.
- Ground Equipment: When external power is available (on an apron parking spot that supports
external power – game limitation) and turned on in the cockpit, the ground power and air start
carts will display in startup position and sound effects will play.
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G3000 INTERFACE
The G3000 interface and map functions just as it will for other aircraft in the game and the
aircraft autopilot and CDU planning pages are interoperable (with a handful of exceptions).
We’ve included the G3000 for familiarity and for advanced flight planning and navigation that
the custom DEP doesn’t yet support at this time.
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External Power Button – When ground power is available (at designated MSFS apron parking
spots) turn on Util Batt Switch and then press this button to get AC power to the aircraft.
Generator 1-4 Control switches: Electrical generators powered by engines 1-4.
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LEFT CONSOLE
THROTTLE: Controls thrust to engines 1-4. Each lever is independently controllable (speed brake
control switch animation not modeled at this time)
ALTN THROT Subpanel: Controls fine-tuned adjustments for engines 1-4. Push numerical button
(will light when pressed) and then use INCR/DECR switches to increase or decrease thrust in
small increments for a given engine.
LIGHTS Subpanel: Lighting controls for Pilot’s side of aircraft
FLOOD CSL - Console Flood: Controls flood lighting for left console and left upper console
FLOOD LAPLT - Lap Light Flood: Controls flood lighting for the left main instrument console
lighting fixture underneath the pilot’s glareshield
PNL CSL - Console Panel Backlight: Left console and left upper console backlight brightness
PNL INST – Left main instrument panel backlight brightness control
ENGINE AUXILIARY AIR INTAKE SWITCH: Controls the four engine auxiliary intake doors.
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V-V (Vertical Velocity Indicator) Gauge: Displays aircraft climb or sink rate
FORWARD VISIBILITY LIGHTING AND BRAKE CONROLS SUBPANEL
- PKG BRK: Parking brake button, illuminated when set
- TAXI LT: Taxi lights. Three-way switch – off, dim (nose gear light fixture only only), bright (nose
gear bright and main gear outboard light fixtures).
- LDG LT: Landing lights (inboard main gear light fixtures)
Anti-Skid: CAS message displays if not On
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- A/S SET command button: Adjusts target Airspeed or Mach number for the Autothrottle
system (can also be adjusted from the DEP RNAV Speed Menu)
- CRS SELECT knob: Selects autopilot heading bug (does not affect course bug)
- HDG SEL knob: Selects autopilot heading bug
Entries from FLT DATA subpanel number pad will display in the lower left corner of the Primary
Flight Display page/screen. Pushing the respective FLT DATA subpanel command button will
commit the entry made to the aircraft systems.
8. BACKUP ALTIMETER
GLARESHIELD
1. Master Warning Annunciator: Illuminates when a warning CAS is triggered. Push button to
silence aural alerting (when applicable)
2. Master Caution Annunciator: Illuminates when a caution CAS is triggered. Push button to
silence aural alerting
3. Master Fire Warning Annunciator: Illuminates when fire is detected onboard the aircraft.
4. AOA Indexer: Illuminates when gear is extended and aircraft airborne. Yellow up Arrow =
Angle of attack too low / below target. Green circle = On target angle of attack. Red Down Arrow
= Angle of attack too high / above target.
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Eng 1-4 Bleed Air Select Buttons: Are needed for engine starts and for ECS functions (sound
effects, for example) to work.
R and L ISOL VALVE and XOVER VALVE: Buttons illuminate as well, but are not functional at this
time.
OXY SUBPANEL: Switch positions will trigger CAS alerts if incorrectly configured.
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ECS SUBPANEL
Cabin Pack L, R: AirCon for cabin – triggers sounds and CAS messages depending on
configuration.
Equip Pack L, R: AirCon / cooling for avionics / equipment – triggers sounds and CAS messages
depending on configuration.
Cabin Pressure Dump: Dumps cabin pressure to ambient exterior pressure
Cabin Pressure Vent: Dumps cabin pressure to ambient exterior pressure (venting not modeled,
just dump function)
Pitot Static Heat: Prevents air data port sensor icing
ANTI-ICE SUBPANEL
Windshield Anti-Ice L, R
Eng Anti-Ice
FCS MAINT: Triggers flight control surface auto-test (watch outside aircraft when active)
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EJECTION SEAT
Arm / Disarm Control: Arms or disarms the ejection seat firing system. Typically not armed until
at the active runway ready for takeoff. Definitely not armed in the hangar.
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14. Toilet
15. Microwave
16. Interior Entry Pressure Door
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The STAT page displays summary information about engine output, control systems and other
information.
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8. Landing gear status (green = down and locked, red = in transit, no data = retracted)
9.Current Comm1 frequency
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We don’t have data concerning what is normally displayed in this page (Terrain Following
Radar), so we’ve substituted a FLIR type simulation instead. Read below for our description of
the autopilot driven “poor man’s terrain following radar.”
1. Airspeed Indicator KIAS
2. Heading Tape
3. Pitch Ladder
4. Climb / dive marker, flight path marker, and speed brake indicators
5. Course Deviation Indicator
6. Slip and Bank Indicator
7. Altitude (MSL)
8. Fuel
NOTE: The TFR / FLIR page is ONLY available to display in the pilot’s left MDU due to sim
limitations.
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The fuel system display page has the following functional components:
Visual indicators for fuel quantity (blue hash marks on the rectangles)
Fuel system diagram
Fuel quantity in thousands of pounds within each of the eight fuel tanks
Total fuel quantity on board.
The remaining data is static and based on representative values.
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This page shows navigation information related to aircraft position. The following is a detailed
list of currently implemented features. Anything not listed is INOP and may be
changed/included in a future update. Selected Autopilot Heading
1. North Up/Track Up Display
2. Current Military Time Zone and Time
3. Commanded Course (VOR/TACAN course or AP Heading if HDG Lock active)
4. Ground Speed
5. ASL Altitude
6. Current Heading
7. Selected Range
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The DEP, or CDU, for short, is the pilot’s primary system for entering and modifying navigation
data for the B-2. It also provides control for the weapons bay doors. Below is a list of pages and
what you will see on each page.
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This page is used to enter your voice communications frequencies for the aircraft. Only the
COMM1 and COMM2 lines are active on this page. All other information is for display only and
is inoperable.
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This page is used to set departure and arrival airports, select departure and arrival procedures,
as well as updating your TACAN channel.
To set your origin or destination airport, type the ICAO designator for your desired airport or
waypoint, then press the corresponding index button for either ORIGIN or DEST on the CDU.
To update your TACAN channel, type the channel into the CDU (e.g. 33X, 12Y, etc) and press the
right index button for the TCN line.
The departure and arrival pages will be described below.
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Once you have an ORIGIN set in the NAV page, you have access to the Departures page.
To select a departure procedure, press the button next to the desired departure, then press the
button for your desired airport. Once both of those are pressed, you will have the option to
activate that departure.
If you wish to cancel what you have selected, just perform those steps in the reverse order.
Press the Deactivate button, press the button for the selected airport, then press the button for
the selected departure. You should then be able to reselect an updated departure.
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Once you have a DEST set in the NAV page, you have access to the Arrivals page.
To select an arrival procedure, press the button next to the desired arrival, then press the
button for your desired airport. If there is an enroute transition available for your selection, it
will display below. Select the transition if available. Once everything has been selected, press
the activate button to activate the procedure.
If you wish to cancel what you have selected, just perform those steps in the reverse order.
Press the Deactivate button, press the button for the selected transition (if selected), then press
the button for the selected airport. Finally select the button for the selected arrival. You should
then be able to reselect an updated arrival.
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This page is used to set up your transponder. If a carat is pointed outward toward a button it is
used for controlling the mode of the transponder. If it is pointed inward away from the button,
it accepts the transponder code as an input. To set your desired transponder code, bring the
transponder up to at least the STBY power level, then type in your code and hit the button next
to the inward facing caret on the bottom left of the screen.
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This page sets various autopilot functions. If a carat is pointed inwards, it cycles a function
(MASTER, AUTOTHROT, Selected Nav Source, NAV LOCK, APRCH, BKRS). If a carat points
outward, the item has a submenu (HDG/OBS, ALT/VS, SPEED).
MASTER – Engages or Disengages Autopilot Master
AUTOTHROT – Enables or disables autothrottle
NAV SOURCE – Cycles the autopilots nav source between GPS, TCN, NAV1, or NAV2
NAV LOCK – Enables or disables NAV hold
APRCH – Enables or disables approach hold
BKRS – Enables or disables backcourse mode
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AUTOPILOT SUBMENUS
HDG/OBS – Opens the menu for setting your desired autopilot heading or OBS
course (including TACAN). Also includes the ability to activate heading hold mode.
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SPEED – Opens a menu for entering your desired autopilot airspeed. You can also
switch between IAS/MACH from this menu.
This page is used for creating or modifying your flight plan. To insert a waypoint,
type in the ICAO for the waypoint and press the button next to the waypoint you
want the new waypoint to be ahead of. For example, to add a waypoint between
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MANSEQ and EED shown above, enter your new ICAO, then press the button next
to MANSEQ.
To add a waypoint to the bottom of the flight plan, enter the ICAO, then press the
button next to “-----“. Keep in mind this will not function properly if a Destination
airport is already selected from the Nav page.
To remove waypoints from the flight plan, first ensure no arrival or departure
procedures are active (NAV button -> DEP/ARR menus). Press the minus (-) on the
keypad, then select the button to the left of the waypoint you want to delete.
WPN: WEAPON BAY CONTROL PAGE
This page is used for opening and closing the weapon bay doors
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SFID page (supplemental flight information display) includes duplicates of primary flight, engine,
and status page elements for quick or backup reference.
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Displays all currently active Crew Alerting System messages. For a list of CAS messages and logic
please see the CAS Messages addendum below.
CTSD
Blank – No Function at Present
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A typical moving map display with range, absolute elevation color reference, facilities display,
and flight plan displays.
NOTES: Map MENU object pops up a menu, but that menu presently has no function in the IFR
(but does have some effects on the HSD). This will be deprecated in a future update. Note that
Flight plans entered from the G3000 interface will populate in this IFR map, and from CDU vice
versa, EXCEPT for Direct to and custom waypoint entries from G3000, which will not display on
the IFR map screen at this time. There may be other functionality that’s not duplicated from
G3000 derived plans to the IFR map screen.
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SPEED LIMITS
Though we don’t have precise figures for the B-2A’s speed limits, based on various sources we
estimate the following. Mmo (maximum Mach number) is 0.96. A caution CAS message will
display at 0.94M. An Overspeed CAS message and voice alert will play at 0.97M. VNe (Never
exceed speed) is 525 KIAS. A CAS caution message will display at 500 KIAS. An Overspeed CAS
Warning message and Overspeed Voice alert will play at 525 KIAS. The real-world B-2A is
capable of terrain following penetration missions flying at more than 0.7M at altitudes as low as
200 feet above ground level (AGL).
G-LIMITER
Sources indicate that the standard G limit is 2.5G. A CAS caution message and voice alert will
play at 2.5G. At 3.0G a CAS warning message and repeating voice alert will play until load factor
is decreased. The flight control system will limit G to no more than 3.33G. The aircraft is limited
to -1.33 G by the flight control system.
BANK LIMITER
We’ve included a custom bank limiter that progressively decreases the available bank angle as
the aircraft approaches stall speeds and prevents the aircraft from being rolled or banked into a
fully inverted attitude at any speed. This prevents the aircraft from being flown into out of
control or dangerous flight attitudes. We don’t know if the real-world B-2 incorporates a bank
limiting system into the FCS control logic, but it seems sensible for an aircraft with the B-2’s
unique geometry.
PITCH LIMITER
We’ve included a custom pitch limiter that prevents up or down pitch angles of greater than 45
degrees. The pitch limiter is set to 40 degrees and with continued stick force can be pushed to
45 degrees up or down angle.
FLAPS SYSTEM
The B-2 doesn’t have conventional flaps. However, the beaver tail (center body control surface)
and elevons will act as lift devices during takeoffs and approaches with landing gear down. The
surfaces will deflect as speed increases and angle of attack increases and will provide enough
additional lift to allow for takeoffs and landings at target speeds and angles of attack.
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AUTOTHROTTLE
The real B-2 doesn’t have an auto-throttle system. Ours does… It works reasonably well and
uses the game native autothrottle system. At high Mach numbers (above 0.9M), you’ll see a
slight deviation between the instrumented Mach number display and the Mach number the
autothrottle system will maintain. This is due to the use of our customer Mach meter system,
which is more accurate at high Mach numbers. This is nothing to be concerned about – just
adjust accordingly as needed.
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Pitch control is retained. Heading directional control is facilitated by differential thrust control
(described below). Additionally, the radar screen will be turned off. We haven’t determined a
way to disable outbound radio transmissions in the game; we would if we could.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
While we’ve not made an attempt to model or document any detailed emergency procedures,
we have provided a significant list of crew alerting system (CAS) messages to keep you busy if
you haven’t followed checklists and standard procedures. There is a supplemental list of CAS
messages with parameters and aural alert information attached to this document. This plane
will bark at you if you’re doing something wrong.
We don’t know the exact recommended approach angles of attack for the real B-2. That
information is not publicly available. What we have found out is that the B-2 makes its approach
at around 135-140 knots (or slightly less depending on weight / loading). Max full stop landing
weight is 311,500 lbs (this should be considered the emergency recovery weight). Normal
maximum landing weights for all other landing procedures, such as touch and go’s, is
270,000lbs. You’ll need significantly higher pattern and final approach speeds to maintain target
AoA values at high weights. At the inner marker and / or when the aircraft crosses the threshold
the engines are idled and airspeed allowed to decay. There is no flare needed as the aircraft rate
of descent will decrease as the aircraft gets close to the runway due to ground effect. When
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landing lightly loaded, deploy 30 to 40% of the speed brakes to allow for higher engine rpms to
be used, allowing for more rapid engine responses if a go-around is needed. We’ve found that in
our model, maintaining an angle of attack of between 5 and 6 degrees is optimal during final
approach and landing. During downwind and base leg, an angle of attack of 3 to 5 degrees with
an airspeed of between 160 and 180 knots (depending on aircraft weight) is appropriate for
maintaining a reasonable rate of descent enroute to final. As soon as the aircraft main wheels
are on the ground, gently push forward on the stick to plant the nose gear on the ground
(release forward pressure as soon as nosewheel touches down) and deploy speed brakes if they
haven’t automatically deployed. The B-2 has powerful brakes, negating the need for thrust
reversing. The brakes get hot and in real life, after hard braking as may occur during a high gross
weight landing, it can be many minutes before the brakes are cool enough to attempt another
takeoff or landing.
There are some operating limitations to the doors that we’re aware of:
The doors are limited to speeds of up to Mach 0.4. in Auto mode, the doors will close just
before Mach 0.4 and open as the aircraft decelerates below Mach 0.4.
If the “Open” setting is selected and you accelerate past Mach 0.4, you will get a warning CAS
alerting you to the condition. You should close the doors promptly.
If doors are left in the Closed setting, you will receive a caution if the engines are advanced past
80% N1 RPM during takeoff. This is a limitation of the engines with the doors closed. You should
open them if you intend to takeoff without degrading your engine thrust.
When it’s cold (less than 43F / 6C), during idle and taxi, the doors are closed. Engine anti-ice is
enabled (you’ll receive a CAS alert if you don’t). This keeps the engine temperatures warm and
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prevents induction icing conditions that can occur at low speeds in cold temperatures. One the
aircraft is cleared for takeoff, the doors are opened by setting the system to Auto (this will
trigger a CAS caution, which can be ignored as long as you depart shortly after clearance).
AERIAL REFUELING
The model can take on fuel while airborne by using the aerial refueling knob on the fuel system
subpanel. Fuel will be onboarded at approximately 1100 gallons per minute (though you’ll see
faster rates at lower fuel volumes and lower rates when fuel is near max capacity – a quirk of
the complex fuel system model that we haven’t found a work around for at this time). You must
fly between 8,000 and 29,000 feet and between 180 and 325 knots for fuel to be taken on. To
open the AAR port, turn the knob to OPEN position. To begin fuel flow, turn the knob to OVRD –
you’ll see a “LATCH” message on the STAT page of the MDU when fuel is flowing. The B-2 model
is also compatible with the Air Show Assistant Aerial Refueling option.
FUEL DUMP
Fuel can be dumped by lifting the fuel dump safety cover on the fuel systems control panel and
selecting open. Fuel is dumped at a typical rate for large airliner sized aircraft.
VR FUNCTIONALITY
The model supports VR headset usage. Most everything works as expected. In a subsequent
update we’ll finish configuring the yoke interaction points.
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APU START
1. Verify ground crew and co-pilot ready for APU Start
2. APU L - Press Start Button and wait for light to illuminate
3. APU R – Press Start Button and wait for light to illuminate
4. DC BTR Switch – Closed
5. Engine Bleed Air Switches 1,2,3,4 – On
6. MDU screen brightness – set
7. CID Power On
8. Check Fuel Quantity
9. Check Hydraulic – MDU Page – Temp, Pressure, and Quantity
10. Check Brake Accumulator Pressure
11. Entry Door / Ladder – Close
12. Crew Hatch - Close
13. Ordnance Bay Doors – Close
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ENGINE START
1. Notify / confirm ground crew and any remaining ground equipment removed / clear
2. Throttles (4) to Idle
3. Press MOTOR buttons (4) and wait for N2 to reach 20% or higher
4. Press Engine AUTO start button OR Press individual engine start buttons (4)
5. Check fuel flow at N2>20% for each engine (4)
6. Check Engine Parameters (N1, N2, Fuel flow, Temp, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, Oil Quantity)
7. Check EMSP (4) - OK
8. Generators 1,2,3,4 On
9. Check Electrical System – Amperages and Voltages (ENG MDU page)
10. Wait a minimum of 30 seconds after final engine to be started has reached stable idle
RPM and then turn off APUs L and R
BEFORE TAXI
1. Ordnance Bay Doors – Check Closed (ask ground crew to verify)
2. Engine Instruments – Check
3. Hydraulic System – Verify Pressure, Quantity, Temperature
4. FCS – Check MDU page
5. Navigation equipment – Check
6. IFF – Verify function and transponder mode select in FMC
7. IFF Switch - Norm
8. FMC Programming – Verify plan / programming
9. Altimeters – Set barometric pressure and check field elevation on primary and backup
altimeters
10. Verify fuel quantity and CG system settings
11. Gross Weight – check and verify same as provided on Flight Clearance form; MTOW
336.5K LBS
12. Cabin Pack Switches, L, R – On
13. Pitot Static Heat On
14. Eng Anti Ice - Auto
15. Windshield Defog Switch – As Required
16. Engine Auxiliary Air Intake Doors – Auto
17. If Temp less than 43F Close Eng Aux Air Intake Doors During Taxi
18. ALTN SPD BRK – Norm
19. TRIM mode switch - Norm
20. A/R Slipway – Verify closed
21. Position Lights – Check Brt
22. Position Lights – Check Flash
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23. Entry Door and Ladder - VERIFY Up and Closed (check light)
24. Crew Hatch – VERIFY Closed
25. Remove Wheel Chocks – Remove Headphones interconnect with ground crew
26. Signal Ground Crew with Taxi Lights – Steady to alert ground crew to clear the way for
taxi, flashing the light to alert ground crew to re-establish intercoms.
TAXIING
1. Parking Brakes – Release
2. Verify Parking Brake light goes out
3. Brakes check – verify normal brake function and response
4. BIT FCS Maint button – press to engage built in flight control system test
5. Verify FCS function – no errors on FCS page on MDU
6. Speed Brake switch to full open and closed
a. check speed brake extension and retraction
7. Check Oxy switch – Auto
8. Check Oxy regulator switch – Norm
BEFORE TAKEOFF
1. Anti-Collision Lights – Both
2. Position Lights - STDY
3. Landing Lights – On
4. Taxi Lights – Brt
5. Anti-Skid – Check On
6. Eng Aux Air Intake Doors – Check Auto
7. IFF Switch – Check Norm (in DEP enable desired mode)
8. Helmet Visors – Lower (additional protection against bird strikes causing windshield
failure during takeoff)
9. CAS messages – status check
TAKEOFF
1. Brakes - Depress and Hold
2. Heading Check
3. Annunciator and CAS – Status Check
4. Throttles – Intermediate thrust
5. Engine Data – Check
a. Power level
b. Fan RPM
c. Engine TBT
d. Core rpm
e. Oil pressure
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f. Oil Quantity
6. CAS check
7. Brakes Release
8. Throttles – Maximum Thrust
9. Engine Performance – Check
10. Acceleration – Check
11. Rotation Speed – Check
a. Rotation Speed b/w 125 and 145 Knots depending on A/C Weight
b. Rotate to between 8 and 10 degrees nose up
CRUISE CHECKS
1. Engine & Instruments – CHECK
2. Fuel Quantity and CG – CHECK
3. Radios - TUNED and SET
4. Lights - AS REQUIRED
5. Cockpit Pressure – Check
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DESCENT
1. Hydraulic System – Check Pressure, Temp, Qty
2. Electrical Power – Check
3. Engine Instruments – Check
4. CAS – Check
5. Fuel and CG – Check
6. Navigation and Communications – Set as desired
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AFTER LANDING
1. Landing Lights – Off
2. Taxi Lights – Check On (BRT at night)
3. Anticollision lights – Off
4. Position lights – BRT / FLASH
5. Transponder / IFF – OFF [how best to do this?]
6. Pitot Static Heat – OFF
7. ANTI-ICE SWITCH Windshield – L Off, R Off
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PARKING / SHUTDOWN
1. Parking Brake – Set / On
2. Anti-Skid Switch - Off
3. Ground crew intercom – Connect
4. Wheel Chocks – Install
5. Taxi Light – Off
6. Anti-Collision Lights – Off
7. Position Lights – Off / Retr
8. Eng Aux Air Intake Doors - Close
9. Ordnance Bay Doors – Open
10. Bleed Air – Off
11. CABIN PACK SWITCHES – Off
12. Entry Door – Open
13. Throttles Idle
14. Engine Instruments – Check for normal Idle Operation
15. Engine Stop (4)
16. DC BTR Switch - Open
17. Ejection Seat Arming Lever – Disarm
18. Battery Flight Center Switch – Off
19. Battery Switch Upr - Off
20. Crew Hatch – Open
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ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available on the e-Publishing website at www.e-
publishing.af.mil for downloading or ordering.
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: AFGSC/A3TO
Supersedes: AFI11-2B-2V3, 3 May 2010
Certified by: AF/A3T (Maj Gen James A. Jacobson)
Pages: 40
This volume establishes effective and safe operations of the B-2 and implements Department of
the Air Force Policy Directive (DAFPD) 11-2, Aircrew Operations; DAFPD 11-4, Aviation
Service; and Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 11-202V3, Flight Operations. It establishes the
minimum Air Force operations procedures for personnel performing duties in the B-2. This
publication applies to all civilian employees and uniformed members of the Regular Air Force
and the Air National Guard operating B-2 aircraft. It does not apply to Air Force Reserve units
and members. This publication does not apply to the United States Space Force. Ensure that all
records created as a result of processes prescribed in this publication are maintained in
accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 33-322, Records Management and Information
Governance Program, and disposed of in accordance with Air Force Records Information
Management System (AFRIMS) Records Disposition Schedule (RDS). Refer recommended
changes and questions about this publication to the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR)
using the AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication; route AF Forms 847 from
the field through the appropriate functional chain of command. The authorities to waive
wing/unit level requirements in this publication are identified with a Tier (“T-0, T-1, T-2, T-3”)
number following the compliance statement. See DAFI 33-360, Publications and Forms
Management, for a description of the authorities associated with the Tier numbers. Submit
requests for waivers through the chain of command to the appropriate Tier waiver approval
authority, or alternately, to the Publication OPR for non-tiered compliance items. This AFMAN
may be supplemented at any level, but all supplements must be routed to Air Force Global Strike
Command, Standardization and Evaluations (AFGSC/A3TV) for coordination prior to
certification and approval. When guidance in this manual duplicates, changes or conflicts with
already published information contained in other AFGSC manuals or lower designation, the 2
AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30 OCTOBER 2020
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material in this manual takes precedence. The use of the name or mark of any specific
manufacturer, commercial product, commodity, or service in this publication does not imply
endorsement by the Air Force. Compliance with the attachments in this publication is mandatory.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
This document has been substantially revised and must be completely reviewed. Primary purpose
of revision is to change designation from AFI to AFMAN in accordance with DAFI 33-360.
Additionally there were minor adjustments to tier levels, formatting and updating of references.
Chapter 1—INTRODUCTION 6
1.1. Overview. ................................................................................................................. 6
1.2. Roles and Responsibilities. ...................................................................................... 6
1.3. Deviations. ............................................................................................................... 6
1.4. Waivers. ................................................................................................................... 6
1.5. Instruction Changes. ................................................................................................ 6
Chapter 2—MISSION PLANNING 7
2.1. Duties. ...................................................................................................................... 7
2.2. General Procedures. ................................................................................................. 7
2.3. Map/Chart Preparation. ............................................................................................ 7
2.4. Fuel Conservation. ................................................................................................... 8
2.5. Briefing/Debriefing. ................................................................................................. 8
2.6. Unit Developed Checklists/Local Pilot Aids. .......................................................... 9
2.7. Personal Equipment. ................................................................................................ 9
Chapter 3—NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURES 10
3.1. Ground Communications. ........................................................................................ 10
3.2. Ground Visual Signals. ............................................................................................ 10
3.3. Preflight. .................................................................................................................. 10
3.4. Taxi. ......................................................................................................................... 10
3.5. Takeoff. .................................................................................................................... 10
3.6. Formation. ................................................................................................................ 11
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4.5. B-2 Basic Area Navigation (BRNAV), Required Navigation Performance (RNP), North
Atlantic (NAT) High Level Airspace (HLA). ............................................... 20
Figure 4.1. B-2A RVSM Envelope Limitations. ........................................................................ 21
Chapter 5—PILOT OPERATIONAL LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS 22
5.1. Scope. ....................................................................................................................... 22
5.2. Crew Requirements. ................................................................................................ 22
5.3. General Limitations. ................................................................................................ 22
5.4. Pilot and Aircraft Limitations. ................................................................................. 22
Chapter 6—AIR-TO-SURFACE WEAPONS EMPLOYMENT 23
6.1. References, Authorities and Definitions. ................................................................. 23
6.2. General. .................................................................................................................... 23
6.3. Off-Range Simulated Weapons Employment. ......................................................... 24
6.4. Weather and Navigation System Accuracy for Training Weapon Delivery. ........... 25
6.5. Hung Weapons Procedures. ..................................................................................... 26 4
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Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1. Overview. This manual prescribes procedures for operating B-2A aircraft under most
circumstances. It is not a substitute for sound judgment. Procedures not specifically addressed
may be accomplished if they enhance safe and effective mission accomplishment.
1.2. Roles and Responsibilities.
1.2.1. Commanders. Commanders at their respective tier levels are responsible for complying
with guidance in this manual. (T-1). B-2A flying unit wing commanders, delegated no lower
than Operations Group Commander (or equivalent), are responsible for providing local operating
guidance to supplement the requirements of this Manual. (T-1).
1.2.2. Pilot in Command Authority. The pilot in command is responsible for, and is the final
authority for the operation of the aircraft. (T-1). Pilots will use best judgement to safely conduct
flying operations. (T-1).
1.3. Deviations. Deviations from these procedures require specific approval by the Major
Command Director of Operations unless an urgent requirement or an aircraft emergency dictates
otherwise. In that case, the pilot in command should take the appropriate action to safely recover
the aircraft.
1.4. Waivers. Forward T-0, T-1 and T-2 waiver requests to the AFGSC, Director of Operations
(AFGSC/A3) or Air National Guard (ANG/A3O) for coordination with HAF or external
agencies or for approval. Waivers are valid for one year from the approval date. In accordance
with DAFI 33-360, T-3 waiver authority may be delegated to group or squadron commanders.
Information copies will be provided to AFGSC/A3T and ANG/A3D.
1.5. Instruction Changes. Guidance on suggesting revisions and recommending corrective
action(s) is provided in DAFI 33-360. AFGSC/A3 will forward recommendations for changes to
this volume to Headquarters Air Force Flight Standards Agency (HQ AFFSA/XOF) for
Headquarters Air Force, Director of Operations (AF/A3) approval. (T-2). AFMAN11-2B-2V3
30 OCTOBER 2020 7
Chapter 2
MISSION PLANNING
2.1. Duties.
2.1.1. The pilot in command of each aircraft and the designated flight lead are ultimately
responsible for mission planning. (T-3).
2.1.2. Crewmembers are personally responsible for maintaining adequate knowledge of system
operations, normal, and emergency procedures. (T-3).
2.1.3. The Weapons and Tactics Flight will provide supplemental planning information as
necessary to effectively accomplish the assigned mission. (T-3).
2.2. General Procedures.
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2.2.1. Accomplish flight planning to ensure safe accomplishment of all phases of flight. As a
minimum, flight planning includes takeoff/landing data, fuel requirements, target study/weapons
delivery procedures/briefing (if applicable), formation procedures (if applicable), and chart
preparation. Review bird advisory and bird hazard information in accordance with AFI 91-202,
The US Air Force Mishap Prevention Program, and AFI 91-212, Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike
Hazard (BASH) Management Program. (T-3). Units should check the Avian Hazard Advisory
System (AHAS) (http://www.usahas.com) and contact their base civil engineering wildlife
expert or Air Force Safety Center BASH team for further information on times of increased bird
activity. Consider and factor in foreseeable safety risks and risk mitigation factors in accordance
with Operational Risk Management (ORM).
2.2.2. Standards. Groups may develop Operations Group Commander (OG/CC) approved
group/wing standards. Operations Group Standards and Evaluations (OG/OGV) will review all
standards to ensure standardization and compliance with AFI 11-series guidance and forward a
copy to AFGSC/A3T. (T-2).
2.2.3. The B-2 Weapons Attack Guide (WAG) is an aid for aircrews in mission planning and
during flying operations. It does not relieve aircrew from compliance with Technical Orders
(T.O.s) or flight regulations. Aircrew are responsible for ensuring information referenced from
the B-2 WAG is current, complete, and accurate.
2.2.4. Mission Planning Time. Squadron commanders (SQ/CCs) will provide pilots sufficient
time to mission plan. (T-3). SQ/CCs should schedule no less than four (4) hours for mission
planning when pilots have standardized/stereo products available (“show and go” flight profiles).
SQ/CCs should schedule a minimum of eight (8) hours of mission planning for actual weapons
deliveries, airshow/flyby profiles, or any non-standard mission. Unit operations supervisors (or
higher) may make crew substitutions as long as the substitute crewmember is thoroughly briefed
and understands all aspects of the mission.
2.3. Map/Chart Preparation.
2.3.1. Local Area Charts. A local area chart is not required if the unit in-flight guide includes
jettison areas, divert information, controlled bailout areas, and provides sufficient detail of the
local area to remain within assigned training areas. 8 AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30 OCTOBER 2020
2.3.2. Enroute Charts. Pilots may use flight information publication (FLIP) enroute charts instead
of maps on navigational flights within areas adequately covered by FLIP. These charts will be of
sufficient scale to provide navigation and terrain/obstacle avoidance. (T-3).
2.3.3. Supplemental Charts. Pilots flying under visual flight rules (VFR), inside military
operating areas (MOA), or on military training routes (MTR) in the continental United States
will supplement existing mission planning materials with either:
2.3.3.1. Mission Planning System (MPS) chart with the following overlay options selected:
airports/heliports, airspace boundaries, airways, MTR, parachute jump and Special Use Area
(SUA) boundaries. (T-3).
2.3.3.2. Sectional Aeronautical Charts. (T-3). Note: Use of sectional aeronautical charts in flight
is not required.
2.3.4. Pilots flying outside the continental United States will follow gaining MAJCOM, theater
or host nation guidance on mission planning. (T-2). If no gaining MAJCOM, theater or host
nation guidance exists, use the best charts or overlay options available to comply with this
manual’s requirements.
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2.3.5. MOA/Restricted/Warning Area Charts. Aircrew using a single Minimum Safe Altitude
(MSA) will clearly annotate it on the chart. (T-3). Aircrew will annotate all Minimum Safe
Altitudes and associated constructs are annotated on the chart. (T-3).
2.3.6. Minimum safe altitudes (MSA) and Route Abort Altitudes (RAAs) will be a minimum of
1,000 feet (2,000 feet in mountainous terrain) above the highest obstacle/terrain (rounded up to
the next 100 feet) within the lateral limits of the route or operational area, but in no case less than
five (5) nautical miles (NM) either side of planned route corridor. (T-3).
2.4. Fuel Conservation. Manage aviation fuel as a limited commodity and precious resource.
Design procedures for optimal fuel use and efficiencies throughout all phases of mission
execution, to include ground operations, flight plans, power settings, and climb/descent profiles.
Incorporate enroute tasks to make maximum use of airborne learning opportunities.
2.5. Briefing/Debriefing.
2.5.1. The aircraft commander (AC) or flight lead (FL) sets mission goals and objectives.
2.5.2. AC/FL will present a logical briefing to promote safe and effective mission
accomplishment. (T-2). AC/FL will brief contracts, roles, and responsibilities for all crew/flight
members. (T-2).
2.5.3. All flight members must attend the flight briefing unless previously coordinated with
squadron supervision. (T-3). Commanders will ensure that anyone not attending the flight brief
receives a briefing on mission events and emergency procedures. (T-0). If the interval from the
initial briefing to takeoff exceeds 72 hours, commanders will ensure that a complete review and
briefing is re-accomplished. (T-3). All crews involved in a formation flight must attend a
formation briefing. (T-2).
2.5.4. AC/FLs will brief all items required by AFMANs and the flight crew information file
(FCIF). (T-2). AC/FLs may use locally developed briefing guides that cover all AFI briefing
requirements. Those items published in AFIs, Air Force Tactics, Techniques and AFMAN11-
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Chapter 3
NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURES
3.1. Ground Communications. Pilots will brief ground crews as required. (T-2). Use
operational headsets to the maximum extent possible during all engine starts, pre-taxi checks,
and when technicians perform tasks on the aircraft. Use hand signals as a last resort or if required
during alert scrambles or combat operation.
3.2. Ground Visual Signals. When ground intercom is not available, use visual signals in
accordance with AFMAN 11-218, Aircraft Operations and Movement on the Ground. All
signals pertaining to operation of aircraft systems should originate with the pilot. The crew chief
will repeat the signal when it is safe to operate the system. (T-2). Pilots will not activate any
system that poses a danger to the ground crew prior to receiving proper acknowledgment from
ground personnel. (T-2).
3.3. Preflight.
3.3.1. Icing. Do not take off with visible icing (snow, frost, or ice) on any part of the aircraft. (T-
1).
3.3.2. Flight Control BITs (ABIT). Pilots will complete an ABIT of the flight control system
(FCS) after performing any flight control (FC) memory reads. (T-3). Pilots will not perform FC
air event memory reads. (T-3).
3.4. Taxi.
3.4.1. Minimum taxi interval is 500 feet.
3.4.2. Do not taxi with a reported runway condition reading (RCR) of less than 6 anywhere on
the taxi route. Commanders will ensure that taxi routes are cleared to a minimum of 75 feet wide
for taxi RCR purposes. (T-2).
3.4.3. During normal operating procedures, maximum taxi speed is 15 knots groundspeed and 10
knots during turns or high gain operations. Refer to command guidance for taxi limits greater
than 15 knots.
3.4.4. Taxi over arresting cables slower than 10 knots ground speed. (T-3).
3.5. Takeoff.
3.5.1. Do not takeoff if any of the following conditions exist:
3.5.1.1. The RCR is less than 9 (can be waived by OG/CC).
3.5.1.2. Standing or pooled water is on the runway.
3.5.1.3. The computed takeoff roll exceeds 80% of the available runway. (T-3).
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no circumstances should a crew take off with a computed takeoff distance that exceeds 95
percent of runway available.
3.5.2. Intersection takeoffs require OG/CC approval.
3.5.3. Runways must be cleared to 150 feet width (+/-75 feet of centerline). (T-2).
3.5.4. Do not takeoff over any raised web barrier (MA-1A or 61QS11). Do not start takeoff roll
or land prior to approach end cables. Commanders will ensure that takeoffs accomplished
beyond approach end cables have 10,000 feet runway remaining, plus 1,000 feet overrun and still
comply with applicable takeoff restrictions. (T-2).
3.6. Formation.
3.6.1. Responsibilities. FLs are responsible for ensuring contracts, roles and responsibilities of
each flight member are established, briefed, executed, and debriefed. If any flight member
cannot meet their responsibilities, contracts or assigned tasks then they will immediately
communicate that information to the FL. (T-2).
3.6.2. Formation size is normally three aircraft or less, but can be as many as six aircraft.
3.6.3. Maintain a minimum of 500 feet vertical altitude separation between aircraft.
3.6.4. Notify air traffic control (ATC) when operating as a non-standard formation on flight
plans, on initial ATC contact, and when contacting each subsequent controller. (T-2).
3.6.5. Radio Procedures.
3.6.5.1. Except for wingman acknowledgement, preface all communications with the complete
flight call sign. Transmit only information essential for mission accomplishment or safety of
flight.
3.6.5.2. Make a “knock-it-off” (KIO) or “terminate” call in accordance with AFI 11-214, Air
Operations Rules and Procedures. Any flight member may call KIO or terminate. All
participants will acknowledge a KIO by repeating the call. (T-2).
3.6.5.3. Acknowledge radio checks which do not require the transmission of specific data by
individual flight members in turn (i.e., “2, 3”). Acknowledging indicates that the appropriate
action is complete, in the process of completion, or the flight member understands.
3.6.5.4. All flight members will acknowledge the initial ATC clearance. (T-2). Acknowledge
subsequent ATC instructions when directed by lead.
3.6.6. Takeoffs.
3.6.6.1. Formation takeoff spacing is 1-minute minimum but can be waived to 30 seconds by the
OG/CC. Nuclear training multi-ship minimum interval takeoffs (MITO) require OG/CC
approval.
3.6.6.2. Use caution for wake turbulence on departure and adjust climb routing to avoid areas of
potential wake turbulence. Appropriate fan headings should be flown for all MITO to account for
preceding aircraft’s wake turbulence. If wake turbulence is encountered, smoothly adjust flight
path laterally to exit turbulence. Do not adjust throttles and use caution for G limitations. 12
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3.6.7. Join-Up/Rejoin.
3.6.7.1. Lead will ensure a minimum of 1,000-foot altitude separation between each aircraft for
formation rejoins. (T-3).
3.6.7.2. Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). Until all wingmen report either visual or
tied, FL will report passing every 5000 feet with current and planned rollout heading (if
applicable). (T-2). Wingmen will echo their respective current altitudes and heading. (T-2).
Wingmen will not climb through preceding aircraft’s altitude until visual or tied. (T-2).
Wingmen will delay turns until over the same point as the previous aircraft. (T-2).
3.6.7.3. Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). Wingmen may use visual cutoff to expedite
rejoins. Avoid flight through wingtip vortices and jet wash. (T-1). If encountered, immediately
decouple the autopilot (if engaged) and unload the aircraft to approximately 1G.
3.6.8. Formation Breakup. FL will not break up formation until each wingman has a positive fix
with which to navigate (visual, INS, GPS, or TACAN), and a separate ATC clearance (if
applicable). (T-2).
3.6.9. Changing Leads/Position Changes. See AFTTP 3-3.B-2, Combat Aircraft Fundamentals
B-2.
3.6.10. Formation Deconfliction.
3.6.10.1. General. FL will brief deconfliction contracts and ensure that all wingmen understand
their responsibilities. (T-3). Wingmen have the primary responsibility for safe separation and are
responsible for executing the FL contracts.
3.6.10.2. Loss of Visual/Radar Lock. Use the following procedures if any flight member loses
visual/radar contact within the formation:
3.6.10.2.1. Wingmen will call “blind/broke lock” when unable to monitor preceding aircraft’s
position. (T-2).
3.6.10.2.2. After a blind/broke lock call from any formation member, lead immediately will
communicate current heading and altitude and then repeat heading and altitude parameters every
1,000 feet until all formation members are tied or visual. (T-2).
3.6.10.2.3. If there is not a timely acknowledgement of the original “blind/broke lock” call, then
the flight member initiating the call will maneuver away from the last known position of the
other flight members and obtain a separate clearance. (T-2).
3.6.10.3. Broke Lock and Lost Communication. If a wingman becomes "broke lock" and is
unable to contact the lead aircraft, the wingman will utilize all available communications devices
on board the B-2 to establish contact with lead. (T-2). Simultaneously, the wingman should take
positive steps to ensure separation. If in straight and level flight, maintain established altitude
separation and previously cleared flight path. If straight ahead and in a climb or descent, turn
fifteen degrees away from lead’s last known heading. If in a turn and in a climb or descent, roll
out to obtain AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30 OCTOBER 2020 13
separation and ensure flight path clearance. If all attempts to regain contact with lead aircraft fail,
attempt to contact ATC to obtain a separate clearance.
3.6.10.4. Mid-mission/Late Rejoins. Rejoining aircraft require radio contact, visual or radar
contact, and 1,000 feet altitude separation before rejoining any formation. (T-1). If applicable,
accept “military assumes responsibility for separation of aircraft” (MARSA) with ATC only after
ensuring altitude separation.
3.6.11. Formation Air Refueling.
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3.6.11.1. Initial Rejoin. Cross the rendezvous point in trail formation. If IMC, lead directs
wingmen to move to echelon after the formation is rolled out behind the tanker(s). (T-2). If VMC
and pre-briefed by FL, wingman may automatically assume echelon position with the tanker(s)
in sight.
3.6.11.2. Visual Observation Position. Wingmen may move into visual observation position
(VOP) in accordance with AFTTP 3-3.B-2 with the following restrictions:
3.6.11.2.1. Visibility is 2 NM or greater.
3.6.11.2.2. Tanker has cleared wingman to VOP.
3.6.11.2.3. FL has moved into the pre-contact position.
3.6.11.2.4. Aircraft will stabilize at 1,000 feet separation prior to proceeding no closer than 500
feet wingtip clearance. (T-2).
3.6.11.3. Post Refueling Rejoins. After completing air refueling, lead moves to a two mile left 60
degree echelon position stacked down 2,000 feet from the air refueling base altitude of the lead
tanker. (T-2). After refueling, the number two aircraft stacks down 1,500 feet and assumes a trail
position behind lead. (T-2). Post refueling, number three stacks down 1,000 feet and moves to a
trail position behind two. (T-2). Lead will coordinate with the tanker lead for a larger altitude
block, if required.
3.6.11.4. Comply with further formation air refueling procedures in accordance with Allied
Tactical Publication (ATP)-3.3.4.2, Air-to-Air Refueling.
3.7. Air Refueling.
3.7.1. Air refueling operations are authorized along published routes/tracks. Random air
refueling is authorized with air traffic control approval. After completing the rendezvous,
maintain formation with the tanker. The tanker is responsible for navigation.
3.7.2. Air Refueling Restrictions.
3.7.2.1. Do not conduct air refueling with control stick steering engaged. (T-2).
3.7.2.2. Do not conduct air refueling with an FCS CAUTION, except when necessary for safe
recovery of the aircraft. (T-2).
3.7.2.3. Do not conduct air refueling when encountering turbulence which, in the opinion of the
pilot-in-command or boom operator, denies a safe margin of control of either aircraft or boom.
(T-2).
3.7.2.4. Do not conduct air refueling with less than four engines operating, except when
necessary for safe recovery of the aircraft. Simulated engine out air refueling is permitted 14
AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30 OCTOBER 2020
under Instructor Pilot (IP) supervision. Pilots will place no more than one throttle to idle to
simulate the loss of one engine. (T-2).
3.7.2.5. Do not conduct air refueling when the tanker has less than all engines operating, unless
required for safe recovery of the aircraft. (T-2).
3.7.2.6. Do not conduct air refueling when any flight control problems are suspected or
encountered in flight which, in the opinion of the receiver aircraft commander, would deny a safe
margin of control. (T-2).
3.7.2.7. Do not conduct air refueling when tanker is unable to retract landing gear. (T-2).
3.7.2.8. Discontinue air refueling after loss of all tanker disconnect capability, except during the
following conditions: (T-2).
3.7.2.8.1. During an emergency fuel situation (limit contact time to that required to obtain fuel).
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3.8.3. Autopilot. When flying coupled instrument approaches, disengage the autopilot no lower
than decision height or minimum descent altitude.
3.8.4. Landings beyond approach end cables should be accomplished with at least 10,000 feet
runway remaining plus 1,000 feet of overrun. When 1,000 feet of overrun are not available,
reserve 1,000 feet of the runway to meet the minimum overrun requirements.
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3.9. Airshow/Flyby Profiles. The following are approved airshow/flyby profiles (see also AFI 11-
209_AFGSC Supplement, Participation in Aerial Events):
3.9.1. Profile 1. Normal Pass--Straight Thru Pass. Profile consists of a 1,000 foot above ground level
(AGL) (minimum altitude), clean configuration pass over the runway at 200 to 250 knots based on
aircraft gross weight. If the show line is a non-runway environment then use 1,000 feet above the
highest obstacle within 2,000 feet. Following the straight thru pass, the pilot will ensure that the
aircraft climbout is in accordance with ATC instructions. (T-1). If a high angle climbout is desired,
this profile may be combined with the climbout portion of Profile 4.
3.9.2. Profile 4-Tear Drop Maneuver Pass. Profile begins via a straight run-in down the show line of
the viewing audience at 200 to 250 knots, based on aircraft gross weight. Minimum altitude for this
maneuver is 1,000 feet AGL. If the show line is a non-runway environment then use 1,000 feet above
the highest obstacle within 2,000 feet. Upon completion of the straight run-in pass, track outbound
approximately 1 nautical mile then execute a 240 degree turn away from the show line (rolling out
momentarily at 90 degrees to the show line for clearing) so as to roll out directed towards show
center tracking 30 degrees off runway or show centerline. At show center accomplish a turn away
from show center and track outbound 30 degrees off runway or show centerline. All bank angles
should be planned for 40 degrees (not to exceed 45 degrees). (T-2). Execute turns so as to fly no
closer than 1,000 feet from the crowd line. If departing after this profile, at show center, execute a
climbing turn at maximum continuous thrust at 40 degrees of bank away from the crowd line. (T-2).
Comply with climbout in accordance with ATC instructions.
3.9.3. Profile 5--360 Degree (Box Pattern). Profile consists of a 1,000 foot AGL (minimum altitude)
(T-2). Clean configuration pass over the runway at 200 to 250 knots based on aircraft gross weight. If
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above the highest obstacle within 2,000 feet. Following the straight thru pass, execute a turn away
from the crowd line and fly a rectangular box pattern to a second pass at 1,000 feet AGL (roll out
momentarily at perpendicular headings to the show line for clearing). All bank angles should be
planned for 40 (not to exceed 45) degrees. (T-2). At this time, the aircraft should execute a level pass
and depart the area.
3.10. Chase Formation.
3.10.1. The OG/CC will approve preplanned B-2 chase flights.
3.10.2. Minimum chase spacing from a B-2 is 150 feet.
3.10.3. Chase aircraft will not fly directly over or under B-2 aircraft. (T-2).
3.10.4. All aircraft in the chase formation use a common UHF frequency. (T-2).
3.11. Reduced Lighting Training. Conduct reduced lighting training in approved airspace.
3.12. After Landing Procedures.
3.12.1. Weapons Bay Doors. Do not open the weapons bay doors until the aircraft reaches its final
parking location and a ground observer is available. (T-3).
3.12.2. Fuel Distribution and Center of Gravity (CG). To allow auxiliary power unit refueling,
manually adjust fuel so that each main tank fuel quantity is below 18,000 lbs, each inboard tank fuel
quantity is below 19,400 pounds, and each outboard tank fuel quantity is below 14,300 pounds.
Accomplish fuel adjustments after exiting the runway and prior to engine shutdown. Maintain CG
within the flight CG envelope during taxi. To avoid fuel venting overboard, ensure the outboard
tanks are below 14,300 pounds prior to engine shutdown following any preflight or alert cocking. (T-
3).
3.12.3. Unless maintenance requests otherwise, close auxiliary air doors and open the air refueling
receptacle prior to engine shutdown. (T-3).
3.12.4. Pilots will complete a post-flight walk-around inspection of the aircraft and weapons bays.
(T-3).
3.13. Hot Pit Refueling (HPR).
3.13.1. HPR certified pilots and ground crews may conduct HPR day or night.
3.13.2. HPR with a pentagraph requires a separate brake check area away from the refueling pits. (T-
3). HPR with R-11 or R-12A trucks does not require a separate brake check area.
3.13.3. Outgoing ERCC crews normally perform HPR. Do not ERCC adjacent to aircraft conducting
HPR operations. (T-3).
3.13.4. Do not conduct HPR if brake temperatures exceed 700 degrees Fahrenheit. (T-2). After
brakes cool to below 700 degrees, HPR is permitted.
3.13.5. Pilots will monitor aircraft CG during HPR because with the ground refuel panel powered,
the flight management system does not monitor CG. (T-2). The fuel panel fuel management switch
position (automatic or manual) does not prevent exceeding CG limits.
3.13.6. Pilots will verbally confirm to the maintenance crew that hands, feet and knees are clear of all
flight controls prior to commencing HPR. (T-2). 18 AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30 OCTOBER 2020
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3.13.7. Do not perform any avionics operations or maintenance operations during HPR. Only
transmit UHF/VHF if required for an emergency. Pilots will notify ground refueling crews prior to
any radio transmissions. (T-2).
3.13.8. Do not HPR if fuel was dumped during flight or if fuel is in the surge tank. (T-2).
3.14. Fuel Minimums.
3.14.1. Normal fuel for recovery is 18,000 lbs. This is a general planning factor, and may be
increased based on alternate requirements, follow-on missions, or other factors. If an alternate is
required, fuel may be planned based on diverting to then landing at the alternate with minimum fuel
– normal recovery fuel need not be applied.
3.14.2. Minimum fuel is 15,000 lbs. Crews will land at or above minimum fuel. (T-2).
3.14.3. Emergency fuel is 10,000 lbs. If at any point in flight the AC/FL expects to land below
emergency fuel, adjust the profile, divert and/or declare an emergency. (T-3).
3.14.4. Remote or island destination (In accordance with AFI 11-202v3 AFGSC Supplement,
General Flight Rules) fuel reserve is 30,000 lbs. If the remote or island destination requires an
alternate due to weather, Commanders will ensure that the fuel reserve includes enough fuel for two
(2) hours of holding. (T-1). AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30 OCTOBER 2020 19
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Chapter 4
INSTRUMENT PROCEDURES
4.1. Approach Category. The B-2A is designated as an approach category D aircraft. If the airspeed
for a circling approach exceeds 166 knots, use category E at a minimum. (T-1).
4.2. Simulated Instrument Flight Procedures. Synthetic ILS and Synthetic TACAN approaches
require VMC. (T-1). Visual glide path guidance required at night. (T-1).
4.3. Flight in Precipitation/Icing Procedures.
4.3.1. Lightning Strike/Static Discharge. In the event of a known or suspected lightning strike or
static discharge, terminate the mission and maintain below 250 knots calibrated air speed when
practical.
4.3.2. Avoid thunderstorms laterally by 20 NM when below FL 200.
4.3.3. Avoid thunderstorms laterally by 40 NM when at or above FL 200.
4.3.4. When at or above FL 200, stay VMC when within 40 NM of any convective activity, not just
thunderstorms, which have built above FL 200.
4.3.5. Avoid cruising at altitudes in IMC, or in areas of precipitation, that are within +/-5,000 feet or
+/- 10 degrees Celsius of the forecast freezing level. Climb or descend through these areas as rapidly
as is safely possible.
4.3.6. Do not climb or descend through forecast or reported icing conditions greater than light. (T-2).
4.3.7. Do not cruise in any forecast or actual icing conditions. (T-2).
4.3.8. Maintain Mach .65 or greater in icing conditions to minimize ice accumulation.
4.3.9. Minimize throttle movement with anti-ice/rain removal operating.
4.4. Area Navigation (RNAV)/ Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Flight.
4.4.1. RNAV and global positioning system (GPS) approaches are not authorized.
4.4.2. RVSM Airspace. Airspace where RVSM is applied is considered special qualification airspace.
Commanders will ensure that both the aircrew and the specific aircraft are approved for operations in
these areas. (T-2). All B-2As are approved for restricted operation within RVSM airspace as
documented in Figure 4.1 B-2A RVSM Envelope Limitations. Refer to the flight information
general planning on the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency website
(https://www.nga.mil/ProductsServices/Pages/Aeronautical-Charts-and-Publications.aspx) and
the following guidance for additional RVSM requirements:
4.4.3. Required RVSM Equipment. Commanders will ensure that both altimeters (multipurpose
display units, one display before each pilot, and the standby altimeter), the autopilot altitude hold
function, the identify friend of foe (IFF) transponder altitude reporting (Mode C), and the flight
control system (to include the air data ports and their heaters) are fully operational (defined as not
more than single channel failed) before entry into RVSM airspace. (T-2). Should any failures of this
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failure occur, immediately notify ATC and coordinate further clearance. If failure occurs before
entering RVSM airspace, request a new clearance so as to avoid this airspace, or request ATC special
handling as a non-equipped aircraft.
4.4.3.1. Autopilot. The altitude hold function of the autopilot should be engaged throughout level
cruise periods in RVSM airspace, except when special circumstances dictate, such as when
turbulence procedures require disengagement. Report any aircraft deviations greater than 130 ft from
the commanded altitude to maintenance.
4.4.3.2. Altimeters. Crosscheck primary altitude displays with standby altimeter, before or
immediately upon entry to RVSM airspace. After final level off in RVSM airspace the PIC will
ensure that the readings of all altimeters are recorded (digital video recorder of both vertical situation
displays) and retained for use in case of deviation. (T-2).
4.4.4. RVSM Operations. Monitor systems and crosscheck altimeters on primary displays to ensure
they agree +/- 10 ft. Aircrews should limit climb and descent rates to 1,000 feet per minute when
operating in RVSM airspace to reduce potential effects on other aircraft’s Traffic Alert and Collision
Avoidance System (TCAS) operations, and to minimize risk of overshooting desired altitude during
level-off.
4.4.5. Post Flight. Document in the AFTO Form 781A, Maintenance Discrepancy and Work
Document, malfunctions or failures of RVSM required equipment, including failure of this
equipment to meet RVSM tolerances.
4.5. B-2 Basic Area Navigation (BRNAV), Required Navigation Performance (RNP), North
Atlantic (NAT) High Level Airspace (HLA). The B-2 aircraft is cleared for operations in basic area
navigation (BRNAV), required navigation performance-10 (RNP-10), and NAT HLA.
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Chapter 6
AIR-TO-SURFACE WEAPONS EMPLOYMENT
6.1. References, Authorities and Definitions. AFI 11-214 contains air-to-surface procedures
applicable to all aircraft. Also, reference other applicable instructions, range guides, exercise or
theater directives and Special Instructions (SPINS). This chapter specifies procedures applicable to
B-2 operations.
6.1.1. Ensure all employment of actual weapons is properly authorized and cleared. (T-0).
6.1.1.1. Authorization to employ weapons for training is given by the wing commander, typically by
the 21-165 process. In combat, contingency operations and certain higher headquarters directed
exercises, authorization is given via the Air Tasking Order (ATO), Execution Order (EXORD) or
similar orders.
6.1.1.2. Aircrew must coordinate final target designation (if not previously received) and clearance to
release with ATC, range agencies, and operational and/or tactical controllers (e.g., air operations
center, joint terminal attack controller, tactical air control party, forward air controller) as applicable.
(T-0).
6.1.2. Units will ensure crewmembers are qualified and proficient, or properly supervised, prior to
employing actual weapons. (T-1).
6.1.3. Each training mission involving actual weapons will reference current range guidance and will
coordinate number and type of weapons and assigned targets. (T-3). Any exceptional arrangement or
waiver for an actual weapons release will be documented in writing. (T-3).
6.1.4. On test sorties, specific portions of this chapter may be waived by instructions contained in the
operations order, test plan, or implementation message which directs the test.
6.1.5. Actual Weapon. Any high explosive, inert, or training munition. This includes any releasable
store.
6.1.6. High Explosive Weapon. An actual weapon configured with live functioning fuses (i.e., having
a live primer mated with electrical power) or high explosives. Planners and crews should be alert for
differing usage of “live,” as in some instances it may be used by other agencies to denote an actual
weapon (e.g., “live” vs. “virtual” or “simulated”). When appropriate, further clarify by describing the
weapon as high-explosive.
6.1.7. Inert weapon. An actual weapon that does not have a functioning fuse or high-explosive. This
includes weapons with functioning guidance systems, avionics, or propulsion. If a weapon is used
with inert submunitions that will separate, it is still considered inert but care should be taken to
ensure involved agencies know the submunitions will disperse and to describe any charges used in
the weapon’s function.
6.2. General.
6.2.1. Do not release weapons if a release system, indicator, or weapon bay door malfunction exists,
unless the malfunction is only a loss of redundancy which does not affect weapons accuracy or
normal weapons release (e.g., single power drive unit controller failure). (T-2). 24 AFMAN11-2B-
2V3 30 OCTOBER 2020
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6.2.2. Do not conduct simulated bomb runs, unusual maneuvers, or touch and go landings while
carrying actual weapons. (T-2).
6.2.3. Do not complete weapon unlock/release enable/release consent for weapons until the aircraft is
on the range, cleared hot by the controlling authority, and weapons impact would be in the range
danger area. When practicable in contingency operations, delay unlock, etc. until cleared and over
water, empty or enemy territory. (T-2).
6.2.4. Do not release weapons for training during an inflight emergency or with an engine shutdown.
(T-2).
6.2.5. Do not release weapons if the release exceeds or may result in exceeding technical order limits,
CG limits, briefed track/timing tolerances, safe escape requirements, wingman deconfliction or
fragmentation deconfliction. (T-2).
6.2.6. Do not open weapon bay doors during flight with actual weapons on board other than for
intentional release, jettison, or telemetry checks (if applicable). (T-2).
6.2.7. A range control officer, chase aircraft, or the B-2 flight mission management system may
confirm releases. Pilots may conduct simulated bombing training after they release all actual
weapons.
6.2.8. If communications are lost while on-range, immediately place release switches to the safe/off
position. Do not accomplish further releases until establishing communications and receiving
clearance to release. If communications cannot be established, the pilots will remain in range
airspace and attempt to contact the appropriate air traffic control agency by all means possible. (T-1).
If communications cannot be established, then proceed in accordance with range procedures. During
contingency operations, proceed in accordance with SPINS.
6.2.9. Do not operate in SIM mode when actual weapons are aboard the aircraft. (T-2).
6.2.10. Do not practice simulated emergency procedures when actual weapons are loaded on the
aircraft. (T-2).
6.2.11. When conducting smart bomb rack assembly (SBRA) operations, do not delete targets or edit
the release sequence (REL SEQ) with weapon interface units (WIU) on. (T-2).
6.2.12. Aircrew must have a current copy of the B-2 Weapons OFP Compatibility Matrix (WOCM)
when performing a guided weapon preflight. Refer to the OSK SharePointTM site for the most current
WOCM. (T-3).
6.3. Off-Range Simulated Weapons Employment.
6.3.1. Pilots will minimize use of weapons doors in-flight during simulated weapons employment.
(T-2). Open weapons bay doors only for specific initial qualification or continuation training.
6.3.2. Do not “manually” rotate rotor launcher assemblies (RLA) in partial SIM without RLA
installed. (T-2).
6.3.3. When conducting nuclear training missions using the simulation mode, pilots may power off
the simulated weapons and deselect the weapons display for departure. After AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30
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completing all simulated weapons deliveries, pilots should safe any retained simulated weapons
using the appropriate weapons checklist. Following completion of this procedure, pilots may power
off any remaining simulated weapons and deselect the weapons display.
6.4. Weather and Navigation System Accuracy for Training Weapon Delivery. Unless range
procedures are more restrictive, apply the following guidance.
6.4.1. Weather Guidance/Restrictions.
6.4.1.1. The B-2 is an instrument bomber and does not perform visual bombing.
6.4.1.2. VMC bombing procedures can be utilized to accomplish actual weapon releases if allowed
by the applicable range regulation or SPINS.
6.4.1.3. Actual weapon releases in IMC and/or through an undercast are authorized if allowed by the
applicable range regulation or SPINS.
6.4.2. Navigation System Accuracy Guidance/Restrictions. In accordance with AFI 11-214, Chapter
5, aircrew will confirm the accuracy of the aircraft navigation and weapon delivery systems.
6.4.2.1. Unguided Weapons.
6.4.2.1.1. GPS Moded-Out or Inoperative. Aircrew will utilize radar aiming, updates, and altitude
calibrations to assess and manage navigation and weapon delivery system health and drift rate in
accordance with checklist guidance. Additionally, aircrew must ensure that the navigation system
drift rate is equal-to or less than tech-order specification (≤.25 nautical miles per hour or 25 feet per
minute) and radar aim within 10 minutes of weapon release on a 0.8 nautical mile coherant map
(CM). (T-2).
6.4.2.1.2. GPS Moded-In (GPS Figure of Merit (FOM) ≤ 3). If GPS FOM is ≤ 3, release is authorized
if the aircrew utilizes a 0.8 NM CM map for radar aiming (offset aim point or target direct) while on
the range to confirm the accuracy of the aircraft navigation and weapon delivery system. If radar
aiming requires introducing buffers into the navigation solution, aircrew will mode-out the GPS and
utilize “GPS moded-out or inoperative” guidance. Aircrew will not release unguided weapons with
both buffers and GPS moded-in the navigation system. (T-2).
6.4.2.1.3. GPS Moded-In (GPS FOM ≥ 4). If GPS FOM is ≥ 4, aircrew will mode-out the GPS and
utilize “GPS moded-out or inoperative” guidance. Aircrew will not release unguided weapons with
both buffers and GPS moded-in the navigation solution. (T-2).
6.4.2.2. Guided Weapons.
6.4.2.2.1. GPS Moded-Out or Inoperative. Do not release. (T-2).
6.4.2.2.2. GPS Moded-In. If GPS FOM is ≤ 3, release is authorized. If GPS FOM is ≥ 4, withhold.
(T-2).
6.4.2.2.3. INS-only weapons may be released if allowed by the applicable range guide. Set the failed
weapon mode for SBRA training weapons to “withhold.” 26 AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30 OCTOBER
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Chapter 7
ABNORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURES
7.1. General. This chapter contains procedures to be followed when other-than-normal situations
occur. They do not replace or supersede procedures contained in the flight manual.
7.1.1. Accept no aircraft for flight with a malfunction which denies the crew the ability to safely
operate in all phases of flight or any malfunction that, if airborne, would require mission termination.
7.1.2. Once a malfunctioning system is isolated and/or the fault corrected, do not use that system
again unless use in a degraded mode is justified by mission priority or required for recovery. Do not
conduct ground or in-flight troubleshooting after completing flight manual emergency procedures.
(T-3).
7.1.3. Fuel Dumping. Only conduct fuel dumping in order to reduce aircraft gross weight for safety
of flight. When circumstances permit, dump over unpopulated areas above 8,000 feet AGL. Annotate
fuel dumping in the AFTO Forms 781A. If conditions permit, advise the appropriate air traffic
control agency of altitude and location and when the operation has been completed.
7.1.4. Brake and Nosewheel Steering (NWS) Malfunctions. Do not taxi the aircraft with a brake
system malfunction. (T-2). Do not taxi with a nose wheel steering malfunction with the exception of
using nose wheel steering override, or differential braking to clear the active runway. (T-3). After
clearing the runway, the pilots will stop until the malfunction can be cleared. (T-3). If nosewheel
failure occurs in-flight and cannot be cleared or reset, aircrews may taxi the aircraft clear of the
runway using NWS Override or differential braking and stop until the malfunction can be cleared.
7.1.5. Release Faults. When conducting actual weapons releases for training, if an aircrew receives a
REL CON: FLT in flight and cannot clear this fault, do not attempt to release weapons. (T-2).
Terminate all bombing activity, and write the fault up for maintenance actions upon landing. The
crew should attempt to clear the fault by cycling the REL ENBL switches or swapping and/or
performing a SMP CDE.
7.2. Ground Aborts. Delayed aircraft may join a flight at a briefed rendezvous point or fly a briefed
alternate mission. Flight leads will advise the appropriate agencies of applicable changes after a
ground abort. (T-3).
7.3. Takeoff Aborts.
7.3.1. When a takeoff is aborted and hot brakes are suspected or computed, taxi to the hot brake area,
declare an emergency, and follow technical order procedures. Reference the B-2 Brake Energy Limit
Chart in T.O. 1B-2A-1 and comply with local guidance. (T-1).
7.3.2. Pilots will recalculate takeoff data and brake energy data prior to follow-on takeoffs after an
abort. (T-2).
7.4. Air Aborts. Local guidance such as the Go/No Go guidance published in the B-2A In Flight
Guide may further dictate specific causes for mission abort. AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30 OCTOBER
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Chapter 8
LOCAL OPERATING PROCEDURES
8.1. General. This chapter is reserved for unit local operating procedures. In accordance with DAFI
33-360, the paragraph method is the only authorized way to supplement an AFMAN and added
material should be arranged according to the basic publication. Units composed of dissimilar aircraft
may publish guidance in a single, stand-alone local operating instruction instead of supplementing
this AFMAN. Added or stand-alone procedures should not be less restrictive than those contained
elsewhere in this volume. This chapter is not intended to be a single source document for procedures
contained in other directives or regulations. Avoid unnecessary repetition of guidance provided in
other established directives; however, reference to those directives is acceptable when it serves to
facilitate location of information necessary for local operating procedures. This chapter is authorized
to be issued to each B-2 pilot. Units may supplement the following paragraphs for local operating
guidance:
8.2. Section A. Introduction/Purpose.
8.3. Section B. Applicability.
8.4. Section C. Ground Operation.
8.5. Section D. Flying Operations.
8.6. Section E. Weapons Employment.
8.7. Section F. Abnormal Procedures.
8.8. Section G. Command and Control.
8.9. Section H. Fuel Requirements.
8.10. Section I. Divert Instructions.
8.11. Section J. Jettison Areas (instrument/visual flight rules).
8.12. Section K. Controlled Bailout Areas.
8.13. Section L. Local Weather Procedures.
8.14. Section M. Approved Alternate/Other Missions.
8.15. Section N. Unit Standards.
JOSEPH T. GUASTELLA Jr., Lt Gen, USAF
Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations 32 AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30 OCTOBER 2020
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Attachment 1
GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION
References
AFPD 11-2, Aircrew Operations, 31 January 2019
AFPD 11-4, Aviation Service, 12 April 2019
AFI 11-209 AFGSC Supplement Participation in Aerial Events, 8 February 2019
AFI 11-214, Air Operations Rules and Procedures, 8 July 2020
AFI 11-215, Flight Manuals Program, 25 March 2019
AFI 33-322, Records Management and Information Governance Program, 23 March 2020
AFI 91-202, The US Air Force Mishap Prevention Program, 12 March 2020
AFI 11-202V3 AFGSC Supplement, General Flight Rules, 9 July 2019
AFI 91-212, Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Management Program, 31 May 2018
AFMAN 11-2B-2V1, B-2 Aircrew Training, 20 August 2020
AFMAN 11-202V3, Flight Operations, 10 June 2020
AFMAN 11-218, Aircraft Operations and Movement on the Ground, 5 April 2019
AFTTP 3-3.B-2, Combat Aircraft Fundamentals - B-2, 31 July 2015
ATP-3.3.4.2, Air-to-Air Refueling, 26 April 2019
B-2A Inflight Guide, 1 Dec 2017
B-2A Weapons Attack Guide, 1 October 2015
DAFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, 1 December 2015
T.O. 1B-2A-1, Flight Manual, 10 March 2014
T.O. 1B-2A-34-2-1, B-2 Non-nuclear Weapons Delivery Manual, 31 January 2007
T.O. 1B-2A-5-2, Flight Manual Loading Data, 8 January 2008
Adopted Forms
AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication
AFTO Form 781A, Maintenance Discrepancy and Work Document
Abbreviations and Acronyms
AC—aircraft commander
AFGSC—Air Force Global Strike Command
AFI—Air Force instruction
AFMAN—Air Force manual AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30 OCTOBER 2020 33
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Attachment 2
AIRCREW OPERATIONS IN CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, AND
NUCLEAR (CBRN) THREAT ENVIRONMENT
A2.1. General Information. Potential use of CBRN weapons against friendly airfields presents a
serious threat to flying operations. Although the most effective way for aircrews to avoid this threat
is to be airborne before those weapons are detonated or dispersed and then land at a field that has not
been contaminated, all personnel must be prepared to operate from a field that has come under
CBRN attack. Each air base should publish detailed CBRN procedures. The following information is
for use when base-specific procedures are unknown or incomplete.
A2.2. CBRN Environments. Counter-CBRN actions can be grouped into environments. Chemical
and Nuclear environments result from clouds or rain of minute droplets of agents dispersed from a
munition or sprayed as an aerosol. The nuclear environment is within range of any direct effect from
a nuclear detonation. The radiological environment’s hazard is radioactive dust that can originate as
fallout from a detonation or from dispersal of radioactive material without a nuclear detonation--a
dirty bomb. Procedures in all environments except nuclear are similar--use procedures and protective
gear to avoid skin contact with or inhalation/ingestion of agents or particles.
A2.3. Mission Preparation. Determine the CBRN status at planned launch, recovery and divert
bases. Know the current Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) level for relevant sectors of
the launch airfield. Plan ground ops to minimize the time between leaving shelter and takeoff. If
available, use other aircrew members to perform preflight duties to minimize flight crew exposure.
Arming and End of Runway (EOR) procedures may be conducted in the hardened aircraft shelter
(HAS) or other non-standard location.
A2.4. Travel To/From the Aircraft and Aircraft Preflight. Step in the appropriate protective
ensemble and carry other protective gear as required. If possible, travel to and from the aircraft in an
enclosed vehicle to prevent contamination from agents or dust settling from the air. If travel on foot
is unavoidable, choose a route that takes maximum advantage of available overhead cover (sun
shades, buildings, etc.). If the aircraft is contaminated, ensure maintenance has accomplished spot
decontamination and avoid contaminating your person during preflight. Take steps to avoid bringing
contamination into the aircraft on helmet bags, map bags, etc. In a potential CBRN environment,
keep aircraft buttoned up as much as possible when outside protective shelter. Post-mission, if there
is any suspicion of aircrew contamination process through an aircrew contamination control area.
A2.5. Ground Operations during Alarm Red (or Theater Equivalent).
A2.5.1. Before Taxi Out and After Taxi Back. If Alarm Red occurs while the crew is outside the
aircraft or in the chocks, shut down and exit the aircraft (if appropriate), take cover and don
appropriate MOPP. This may require use of the ground crew mask. A hardened facility such as a
Hardened Aircraft Structure (HAS) provides optimum protection. Ensure the safety of supporting
ground crew; use hand signals if necessary.
A2.5.2. Ground Operations Outside the Parking Spot. Maintain contact with supervisor of flying, air
traffic control, command post, etc., to remain aware of ground hazards and command direction. If
Alarm Red occurs while on the ground outside the chocks, there are 38 AFMAN11-2B-2V3 30
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two primary options. The first option is to taxi into a hardened structure. If a hardened structure is not
available, a hangar or flow through should reduce exposure to settling airborne agents. Use caution to
not damage the aircraft or nearby people and things. Shut down and close structure doors when able.
The second option is to launch for survival contingent on fuel state, arming status, proximity to
runway, nature of attack, etc. If shelter or takeoff is not possible, try to get out of the taxi flow. In
extremes, especially if there is no protective mask available, select 100 percent oxygen and consider
turning off the environmental control systems and/or shutting down to avoid bringing agent/dust into
the aircraft. Leave the aircraft buttoned up and await assistance.
A2.6. Airborne.
A2.6.1. Contamination. Becoming contaminated by chemical or biological agents, while airborne, is
very unlikely. If chemical agent contamination occurred prior to takeoff, flight will dissipate the
agent to some degree, but will not achieve complete decontamination. Flights of at least two (2) to
four (4) hours are recommended, and lower altitudes are more effective than higher altitudes. Fly
with the aircraft configured (gear and speedbrakes extended) as long as possible to maximize the
airflow in and around as many places as possible. There is no simple guidance for biological
contaminants. If suspected, maintain maximum protective posture. If radioactive dust contamination
is suspected, take measures to avoid getting the dust on bare skin, breathing it in (protective masks
work for this) or getting it into your mouth. Seek decontamination assistance after landing.
A2.6.2. During the Mission and Return to Base (RTB). Use command and control agencies to
maintain awareness of command intent and the status of primary and alternate landing locations. Do
not attempt to land during Alarm Red situations unless there is no other option. Follow command
directions and hold or divert. If holding, try to wait until Alarm Red is terminated. When able, obtain
updates on airfield status, ground hazards, de-arm and taxi routing. If landing in Alarm Black, expect
a contaminated environment and MOPP 4. Droplet settling following a chemical or biological
airburst attack can take up to one (1) hour. If you believe the aircraft was contaminated before
takeoff or while airborne, notify command and control.
Top Mach Studios: B-2A Spirit User Manual, V1.0.1 ©2024 - 2025