Development of the ATB (Advanced Technology Bomber) began in 1978; the
programme was revealed to the public in 1981, when Northrop's design was
chosen over a Lockheed/Rockwell proposal.  Although no details of the
design were revealed, it was widely assumed that the aircraft would be a
"flying wing" design, based on Northrop's experience with the XB-35 and
YB-49, and this was confirmed when the first prototype was rolled out on 22
November 1988.  It made its first flight on 17 July 1989, and the first
production B-2 was delivered to the USAF in 1993.  Production plans have
been drastically cut from 135 aircraft to only 20, of which the last is
expected to be delivered in 1997.  The aircraft was officially named
"Spirit" in February 1994; Northrop became Northrop Grumman in May 1994.

Vital statistics (B-2A):  length 21.03 m, span 52.42 m, empty weight 72575
kg, max weight 168434 kg, max speed 1103 km/h, range 13898 km, payload
22370 kg; power plant:  four 84.51 kN General Electric F118-100 turbofans.