B-2 Bomber vs Football Field Size Comparison

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is one of the largest military aircraft ever built, but just how big is it? The best way to visualize the B-2’s massive size is by comparing it to something familiar: an American football field. This visual comparison reveals the true scale of this $2 billion flying wing.

Quick Answer

The B-2 bomber’s wingspan of 172 feet covers approximately half of a football field. A standard football field is 360 feet long (including end zones), making the B-2’s wingspan nearly 48% of the field’s total length.

B-2 Bomber Dimensions

• Wingspan: 172 feet (52.4 meters)
• Length: 69 feet (21 meters)
• Height: 17 feet (5.18 meters)
• Wing Area: 5,140 square feet
• Empty Weight: 158,000 pounds
• Max Takeoff Weight: 336,500 pounds

Visual Comparison to Football Field

Wingspan vs Field Length

A regulation football field measures:

• Playing field: 300 feet (100 yards)
• With end zones: 360 feet (120 yards)
• Width: 160 feet (53.3 yards)

B-2 Wingspan Comparison:

• 172 feet = 57% of the playing field length
• 172 feet = 48% of total field length (with end zones)
• 172 feet = 107% of the field width (wider than the field!)

If the B-2 Landed on a Football Field

Imagine a B-2 Spirit positioned lengthwise down a football field:

• The wingtips would stretch from the 14-yard line to the opposite 43-yard line
• That’s nearly 5 first downs worth of distance
• The wings would extend 6 feet beyond each sideline if positioned crossways

Length Comparison

At 69 feet long, the B-2’s fuselage would:

• Cover about 23 yards of the field
• Equal the length of three school buses parked end-to-end
• Span from goal line to the 23-yard line

Other Size Comparisons

B-2 vs Common Objects

B-2 vs Other Aircraft

Why Is the B-2 So Large?

Flying Wing Design

The B-2’s massive wingspan serves several purposes:

• Stealth efficiency: The flying wing design eliminates vertical surfaces that reflect radar
• Fuel capacity: The wide wings house enormous fuel tanks for 6,000-mile range
• Payload bay: Can carry 40,000 pounds of ordnance internally
• Aerodynamic efficiency: The wing shape provides exceptional lift-to-drag ratio

No Fuselage or Tail

Unlike conventional aircraft, the B-2 has no separate fuselage or tail section. Everything—cockpit, engines, weapons bay, fuel, and crew—is integrated into the wing structure. This makes the aircraft appear wider and flatter than traditional bombers.

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Parking and Hangar Requirements

Special Facilities Needed

The B-2’s size requires custom infrastructure:

• Climate-controlled hangars: 210 feet wide to accommodate wingspan plus clearance
• Cost per hangar: $100+ million for B-2-specific facilities
• Runway requirements: Minimum 11,000-foot runways for takeoff with full load
• Taxiway width: Extra-wide taxiways to prevent wingtip damage

Home Base

All 20 operational B-2 bombers are based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, which has specialized facilities designed specifically for the aircraft’s unique requirements.

Weight Comparison

How Heavy Is the B-2?

At maximum takeoff weight (336,500 pounds), the B-2 weighs:

• Equal to 168 tons
• The weight of 24 full-size pickup trucks
• Heavier than 67 Honda Civics
• About 3 times the weight of a fully loaded semi-truck

Empty vs Loaded

• Empty weight: 158,000 pounds (79 tons)
• Fuel capacity: 167,000 pounds when fully loaded
• Payload capacity: 40,000 pounds of weapons

Scale Model Perspective

If you scaled a B-2 down to toy size:

• A 1:72 scale model would have a 29-inch wingspan
• A 1:144 scale model would have a 14.5-inch wingspan
• A 1:200 scale model would have a 10-inch wingspan

Even at model scale, the B-2’s proportions remain impressive compared to other aircraft models.

Operational Implications of Size

Advantages

• Long range: Large fuel capacity enables 6,000+ mile missions
• Heavy payload: Can carry nuclear or conventional weapons
• High altitude: Large wings provide lift at 50,000 feet
• Stability: Size provides stable bombing platform

Challenges

• Limited bases: Only a few airfields can accommodate B-2 operations
• Expensive maintenance: Requires specialized facilities and equipment
• Difficult to conceal: Large size makes ground operations complex
• Parking limitations: Cannot use standard military hangars

Historical Context

Largest Flying Wing Ever Built

The B-2 is the largest operational flying wing aircraft in history. Previous flying wings were smaller:

• Northrop YB-49: 172-foot wingspan (same as B-2, but 1940s prototype)
• Northrop YB-35: 172-foot wingspan (B-49 predecessor)
• Horten Ho 229: 55-foot wingspan (WWII German prototype)

The B-2 represents the culmination of 50+ years of flying wing development.

Cost Per Square Foot

With a price tag of approximately $2.2 billion per aircraft (including development costs) and a wing area of 5,140 square feet:

• Cost per square foot: ~$428,000
• More expensive than: The most luxurious penthouses in Manhattan
• Gold comparison: About 200 ounces of gold per square foot

Viewing the B-2 in Person

Where to See a B-2

• Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri: Occasional public tours
• Air shows: B-2 appearances at major airshows nationwide
• Rose Parade: B-2 often performs flyover in Pasadena, California
• Sporting events: Occasional flyovers at major games

What to Expect

When seeing a B-2 in flight:

• Eerily quiet: Despite size, engines are muffled for stealth
• Distinctive shape: The flying wing profile is unmistakable
• Slow appearance: Large size makes it appear to move slower than it actually is
• Low altitude: Flyovers typically occur at 1,000-2,000 feet for visibility

Fun Facts About B-2 Size

• The B-2’s wingspan is longer than the Wright Brothers’ first flight distance (120 feet)
• You could park 8 school buses wingtip-to-wingtip under the B-2’s wingspan
• The cockpit is only 2% of the total aircraft volume
• Each wing measures over 8,000 square feet—larger than most family homes
• The weapons bay is large enough to fit a small school bus

Conclusion

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber’s 172-foot wingspan—roughly half a football field—makes it one of the most impressive aircraft ever built. While smaller than jumbo jets like the Boeing 747, the B-2’s unique flying wing design and stealth capabilities make it appear even more massive and imposing.

Next time you’re at a football game, imagine a B-2 spanning from the 14-yard line to the opposite 43-yard line, and you’ll appreciate the true scale of this incredible aircraft. Its size isn’t just for show—every foot of wingspan serves a purpose in making the B-2 the world’s most capable stealth bomber.