$1.2 bn stealth bomber crashes
A B-2 stealth bomber crashed on take-off from the Pacific island of Guam on 23 February, the first such incident involving the futuristic craft
Both pilots on board ejected safely as the 1.2-billion-dollar radar-evading plane, with its distinctive triangular shape, went down at Andersen Air Force Base on the remote island, the U.S. air force said.
"Emergency responders are on scene. A board of officers will investigate the accident," said the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force in the Pacific.
Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, here with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, confirmed the crash but did not give further details.
The long-range bomber was visiting from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Operated exclusively by the U.S., the B-2 has never crashed since first seeing combat in the air war over Kosovo in 1999.
www.DefenceTalk.com
