The B-2 Spirit bomber returned to Edwards Air Force Base on Jul. 17, marking 35 years since its inaugural flight there. The aircraft, known as the Spirit of Pennsylvania, arrived to undergo critical testing and technological enhancements.
Photo: Christian Turner
Major Stephen Henderson of the 419th Flight Test Squadron piloted the B-2 back to Edwards. The primary focus of this new campaign is the integration of Spirit Realm 1, an open mission systems architecture.
“This is the first time that we are going to do agile software development with Spirit Realm, so that is a big change for us,” Henderson stated. “We are projected to work on that heavily this fall.”
Spirit Realm 1 will upgrade the B-2’s communications and weapons systems, introducing agile software development to enhance combat capabilities. This marks a significant shift in the aircraft’s modernization approach.
A Combined Test Force, comprising the 419th FLTS, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, and Northrop Grumman Corporation, will spearhead the testing efforts. The team will also collaborate with the Defense Contract Management Agency on the B-2 Phase Depot Maintenance program at Air Force Plant 42.
Jerry McBrearty, Northrop Grumman’s B-2 program manager, emphasized the importance of the new framework: “The agile framework methodology within SR 1 directly supports the Air Force’s initiative to adapt new capabilities in the aircraft, executing the mission today.”
Col. Joseph Little, commander of AFOTEC Detachment 5 at Edwards, added, “This aircraft enables Operational Test to integrate test points alongside our 412th TW and 53rd WG teammates and serves as another opportunity to conduct integrated test.”
The B-2’s return underscores the Air Force’s commitment to maintaining technological superiority amid global power competition. As the world’s only operational long-range penetrating bomber, the B-2 Spirit remains a critical asset in the U.S. strategic arsenal.
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