2022-02-14, 12:46 PM
(2022-02-09, 07:52 PM)DAW89446 Wrote:(2022-02-09, 04:01 PM)DeathValleyDazed Wrote: I believe that the B-2 always has an escort when flying in these parts.
It is my understanding that a chase plane is always present so that they can keep tract of the B2 since it’s invisible on radar.
They, and other stealth aircraft, have electronic transponders just like civilian aircraft so they can be plenty visible on radar when they want to be. Some stealth aircraft can also optionally attach radar reflectors to increase their radar cross section for training flights but I have no idea if that is common with the B-2 specifically (F-22 and F-35 definitely do).
I’ve not seen a B-2 out and about in the DV area for many years myself, but in the early 2000’s at least I saw them fairly frequently solo with no escort/chase plane.