President Donald Trump this week said the U.S. has ordered a “new and enhanced” version of the B-2 stealth bomber.
Speaking at a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, Trump called the aircraft “similar but actually quite different” from the current model.
He then held up a small replica of the “brand new” bomber, which was not noticeably different, at least visually, from the existing B-2.
“It’s an amazing machine,” the president said. “We just ordered a large number of them.”
Trump did not discuss the nature of the aircraft’s upgrades.
The subject of a new and improved B-2 appeared to come up unplanned as the president discussed U.S. missile strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June. Those strikes were carried out by B-2 bombers and by a submarine that fired Tomahawk missiles.
“It was flawless,” the president said of the operation. “Every one of those bombs hit their target.”
Aerospace manufacturer Northrop Grumman, which makes the B-2, responded to Trump’s praise of the bomber in a statement on X.
“We couldn’t agree with you more Mr. President,” the company wrote. “The [Northrop Grumman] made B-2 aircraft is a magnificent machine!”
Northrop has not announced a new version of the B-2 and is currently developing a new long-range strategic bomber, the B-21 Raider, which will eventually replace the B-2. The aircraft is undergoing testing by the U.S. Air Force and is expected to be ready for service by 2026 or 2027.
