Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit
American strategic B-2 bombers attacked positions of the terrorist group “Islamic state” (IG, is prohibited in Russia) on the territory of Libya. About it reports Reuters with reference to sources in the defense Ministry of the USA.
According to them, the bombing was subjected to objects located 45 kilometers South-East of the city of Sirte. The military also said that the strike was made in coordination with the Libyan national consensus government recognised the UN.
December 5 last year it was reported that government forces during ground operations drove the militants from Sirte. The operation to liberate the city continued for a few months because of the desire of commanders to minimize civilian casualties.
Strategic bomber Northrop B-2 Spirit is the most expensive aircraft in history. Given the money spent on its development, the cost of one machine is $ 2.1 billion. B-2 needs special hangar with constantly maintain microclimate. Coatings for stealth aircraft radar, is destroyed by exposure to direct sunlight. Currently, the U.S. air force is worth 20 machines of this type.
Sirte — the city where he was born and killed former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Since 2011, the city was constantly in the midst of the fighting during clashes between supporters of Gaddafi and the rebels, and then during the civil war. In the spring of 2015 was captured by militants IG. As a result of constant shelling in Sirte there is not a single building.