This week marks the 20th anniversary of the deployment to Guam of one of America's most important and expensive weapon systems — the B-2 Spirit.
The B-2 was originally intended to carry nuclear bombs deep into Soviet territory if the Cold War had ever turned hot. Its shape — paired with the plane's stealth systems — would enable it to be undetected by Soviet radars. The B-2's long range meant it could fly deep into enemy territory and return home.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the B-2 has been used as a conventional bomber. It made its combat debut during the Kosovo War in 1999, and has since flown sorties in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya.
More recently, the B-2 has been placed in bases in the Pacific as part of a strategy to deal with potential threats from North Korea.
Here's why it's one of the most feared aircraft in the world:
The B-2 bomber was shown to the public for the first time in 1988, just before the end of the Cold War. Its stealth capabilities were virtually unmatched.
![The B-2 bomber was shown to the public for the first time in 1988, just before the end of the Cold War. Its stealth capabilities were virtually unmatched.](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5a9066b5aae605cd008b4648-750-563.jpg)
The B-2 can carry sixteen 2,400 lb B83 nuclear bombs, but its official limit of 40,000 lbs of ordinance means it can carry a massive amount of Precision-guided munitions.
![The B-2 can carry sixteen 2,400 lb B83 nuclear bombs, but its official limit of 40,000 lbs of ordinance means it can carry a massive amount of Precision-guided munitions.](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5a90672eaae6052d008b468a-750-563.jpg)
The B-2 has a max range of 6,900 miles on a single tank, but aerial refueling can keep the bomber up indefinitely.
![The B-2 has a max range of 6,900 miles on a single tank, but aerial refueling can keep the bomber up indefinitely.](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5a9069dbaae60519008b45d9-750-563.jpg)
On one bombing mission, two B-2s flew a 34-hour round-trip mission from Missouri to Libya, and were refueled in the air 15 times.
![On one bombing mission, two B-2s flew a 34-hour round-trip mission from Missouri to Libya, and were refueled in the air 15 times.](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5a90856f0c157c26008b4745-750-562.jpg)
Each of the current 20 B-2s in service are named after a states. Here, the Spirit of New York can be seen at the British Royal International Air Tattoo in July of 2012.
![Each of the current 20 B-2s in service are named after a states. Here, the Spirit of New York can be seen at the British Royal International Air Tattoo in July of 2012.](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5a906c3eaae60550058b45a8-750-563.jpg)
The B-2 is a flying wing aircraft, so it has no fuselage or tail. This means it has low drag, high structural efficiency, and generates more lift than other fixed-wing aircraft.
![The B-2 is a flying wing aircraft, so it has no fuselage or tail. This means it has low drag, high structural efficiency, and generates more lift than other fixed-wing aircraft.](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5a9068bc0c157c36098b460b-750-375.jpg)
The B-2's max speed is Mach 0.95, or 630 mph.
![The B-2's max speed is Mach 0.95, or 630 mph.](https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5a9065f0aae6051b008b45c4-750.jpg)
Because of its capabilities, B-2s have been deployed to Guam to keep an eye on North Korea.
![Because of its capabilities, B-2s have been deployed to Guam to keep an eye on North Korea.](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5a906cc621154530008b4729-750-562.jpg)
They are also extremely important for keeping other countries like China and Russia in check.
![They are also extremely important for keeping other countries like China and Russia in check.](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5a90878caae605f6018b46d8-750-563.jpg)
At home, the B-2 is often seen in flyovers during sports events.
![At home, the B-2 is often seen in flyovers during sports events.](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5a4ba3f84aa6b5f7188b7867-750-562.jpg)
The B-2 is currently one of three strategic bombers currently in use by the US Air Force, the other two being the B-52 Stratofortress, and the B-1 Lancer. The Air Force plans to retire the B-2 in the early 2030s.
![The B-2 is currently one of three strategic bombers currently in use by the US Air Force, the other two being the B-52 Stratofortress, and the B-1 Lancer. The Air Force plans to retire the B-2 in the early 2030s.](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5a906b8aaae60589008b46c8-750-375.jpg)