New stealth coatings for the B-2 have been shown to cut low-observable maintenance time by more than half while reducing the bomber's already small radar reflection and making it less vulnerable to low-frequency radar, according to tests completed for Northrop Grumman late last month. Moreover, while cutting maintenance time, the change has produced the benefit of reducing radar reflectivity. "We predicted we would get an RCS [radar cross-section] improvement, said Don Purcell, Northrop Grumman's low-observable maintainability team leader. "The data say we met or exceeded our predictions [in both areas]." Northrop Grumman officials would not address performance issues, but defense officials say the new coatings also reduced the frequency range in which B-2s are vulnerable to radar detection.
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