Northrop Grumman: Leading decades of stealth innovation

For three decades, the B-2 Spirit, built by Northrop Grumman, has been the backbone of stealth technology for the U.S. Air Force and has been commemorated in the Pioneers of Stealth Memorial at the National Museum of the United States Air Force Memorial Park, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The Memorial, dedicated today on the 34th anniversary of the B-2’s first flight, celebrates Northrop Grumman’s groundbreaking role in the development of stealth technology in the late 20th century.

The Pioneers of Stealth is a group of over 200 individuals from the U.S. Government and defense industry who worked low observable, or stealth, programs dating back to the 1970s. The memorial recognizes these visionaries, and four key programs that changed everything for stealth and its role in national defense. Two of these programs were developed by Northrop Grumman: Tacit Blue and the B-2 Spirit.

Stepping Stone

The Tacit Blue, a highly classified DARPA initiated program was awarded to then-Northrop in 1976 to expand on low observable development with a focus on avoiding being seen on enemy radar. The experimental aircraft first flew in 1982 and the many stealth, radar and aerodynamic innovations it incorporated laid the foundations for the development of the B-2 Spirit.

Tacit Blue proved that a stealthy aircraft could have curved surfaces which greatly influenced later aircraft like the B-2 Spirit. Tacit Blue’s design also minimized the heat signature emitted from the engines, further masking its presence.

With its low, “all-aspect” radar signature, Tacit Blue demonstrated that such an aircraft could loiter over – and behind – the battlefield without fear of being discovered by enemy radar. Using advanced sensors, it could also continuously monitor enemy forces (even through clouds) and provide timely information through data links to a ground command center. Moreover, these sensors functioned without giving away the location of the aircraft. The Tacit Blue aircraft flew 135 times before the program ended in 1985.