USAF Building New Site for Testing B-2 Flight Component RCS and Antenna Calibration.

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is currently constructing a new facility called the Composite Aircraft Antenna Calibration Facility (CAACF) at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. This facility is designed to enhance the testing and calibration of flight components for the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, with a particular focus on its radar cross section (RCS) and antenna systems.
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U.S. Air Force airmen with the 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron conduct hot pit refueling on a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber during a Bomber Task Force mission at Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory on Aug. 21 (Picture source: US Air Force )

The building, spanning 32,000 square feet, will include a special chamber lined with radar-absorbing material (RAM) to minimize reflections during testing. This installation will play a crucial role in maintaining the stealth characteristics of the B-2, especially regarding its flight controls and leading-edge components. It will also recalibrate antennas on various parts of the aircraft to ensure airworthiness and operational efficiency.

This initiative is part of broader efforts to maintain and upgrade the B-2 fleet, including the integration of active electronically scanned array (AESA) antennas, which enhance the B-2’s ability to securely communicate with advanced satellite systems.

The facility is expected to be operational by late 2024 or 2025, bolstering the USAF’s capabilities to maintain and update stealth technologies.

The B-2 Spirit, developed by Northrop Grumman, is a strategic stealth bomber renowned for its ability to penetrate highly monitored airspace undetected by radar. Featuring a flying wing design, it utilizes advanced materials and technologies that reduce its radar signature, allowing it to conduct both nuclear and conventional strikes on strategic targets worldwide. The B-2 can carry up to 40,000 pounds of munitions, and with intercontinental range, it can execute long-duration missions without refueling, making it a key asset in the U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy and global military operations.

The B-2 Spirit is primarily used by the USAF for nuclear deterrence missions and precision conventional strikes. With its stealth capabilities, it can deeply penetrate enemy airspace without being detected by radar. While its main mission is to carry nuclear weapons, it can also be equipped with precision-guided conventional bombs like the JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition). The B-2 has been deployed in several conflicts, including Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, for strikes against military infrastructure, bunkers, and other high-value targets. Its intercontinental range allows it to conduct long-duration missions without refueling, enhancing its global power projection. As a critical component of the U.S. nuclear triad, the B-2 continues to play a central role in U.S. defense and deterrence strategies.