B-2 bombers' biggest opponent: Rain used to erode plane's stealthiness

The B-2 stealth bomber, despite its advanced design and high cost, has long faced significant challenges related to its radar-evading coatings and sensitivity to rain and moisture. Reports and a U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) study revealed that exposure to water and humidity damages the aircraft’s low-observable materials, causing water to accumulate in compartments, ducts, and valves, which can lead to system malfunctions. This vulnerability contributed to the 2008 crash of a B-2, known as The Spirit of Kansas, where moisture in the aircraft’s sensors distorted air data during takeoff. The bomber’s coatings require frequent, lengthy maintenance—accounting for nearly 39% of maintenance man-hours per flight hour—and necessitate environmentally controlled shelters, making it impractical to deploy the B-2 without protective hangars. Operational testing showed that the B-2’s mission-capable rate significantly decreases when low-observability issues are factored in, dropping from 66% to