USAF B-2 ‘Spirit of Georgia’ Returns to Service After $23M Restoration
Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit 82-1068 Spirit of New York 393rd BS/509th BW USAF - Whiteman AFB, MissouriAviation News – A US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber has officially rejoined the operational fleet after undergoing extensive repairs following a serious 2021 landing incident at Whiteman Air Force Base.
The aircraft, tail number 89-0129 and known as the “Spirit of Georgia,” suffered major damage when its left main landing gear collapsed during landing, causing the bomber to veer off the runway. After initial inspections and temporary fixes, the B-2 completed a single ferry flight to Palmdale in 2022, where Northrop Grumman undertook a comprehensive multi-year restoration effort.
Investigators later determined that insufficient pressure in components of the landing gear prevented it from locking properly, while a failed hydraulic coupling caused two hydraulic systems to drain rapidly. These combined failures led to the loss of stability during landing.
Repairs were supported by donor components sourced from B-2 test materials, a move that saved millions of dollars. The full restoration, completed in May, totaled more than $23 million. Newly released photos confirm the aircraft has now returned to Whiteman AFB.
The “Spirit of Georgia” is once again flight-ready, restoring one of the Air Force’s most critical stealth assets to the nation’s strategic bomber fleet.
