ATB: B-2 evolution and competitors

[Scott Kenny]

Was it a mistake to change the B-2 tail design from the original?

I'd argue yes.

The "sawtooth" tail was for low altitude penetration that is extremely unhealthy for a flying wing in general, and required massive redesign of the whole airframe.

Note that the B-21 is keeping the original B-2 design in terms of only a single point on the tail.

 

[aim9xray]

I'd argue - it depends.

If the current conops is for a hi-hi-hi-hi mission only (as was the original B-2) then the redesign and the GLAS is waste of time, weight and cost.

If on the other hand, a hi-lo-lo-hi mission is also in the current conops, then the redesign was not a mistake - as it is necessary for the capability to fly at low altitudes at high speeds.

I suspect that the redesign was a hedging of bets by the customer in the early 80s in case high altitude stealth was not as effective or achievable as promised.

 

[flateric]

If on the other hand, a hi-lo-lo-hi mission is also in the current conops,

Not for ages