Pegasus Research Consortium

John Lear's Question and Answers => John Lear's Question and Answer Area => Topic started by: fansongecho on July 27, 2017, 12:34:42 pm

Title: B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber - it has no vertical stabiliser - how does it stay up?
Post by: fansongecho on July 27, 2017, 12:34:42 pm
Joking aside, but can somebody explain the physics as to how the B2's fly without a vertical stabiliser?

I read somewhere that there is a lot of pos and neg charges on the leading/trailing edges and exhaust but when you watch the thing flying, landing and taking off it seems to act in a very conventional manner (if electrogravitics are involved?) and I get that they wouldn't demonstrate its capabilities in a public arena - still it is very puzzling how it manages to stay airborn (to me at least) :-)

If anyone has any links or info on this I would love to see/read it.

Peace - out  :)
Fans'
Title: Re: B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber - it has no vertical stabiliser - how does it stay up?
Post by: ArMaP on July 27, 2017, 01:04:52 pm
The vertical stabiliser doesn't provide lift, so it's not needed for an aeroplane to fly, as far as I understand it, it only helps make the plane turn, although that is mostly done by the ailerons.
Title: Re: B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber - it has no vertical stabiliser - how does it stay up?
Post by: The Seeker on July 27, 2017, 01:20:50 pm
Armap is correct; The vertical tail stabilizer was invented before ailerons and flaps, and is primarily a mounting surface for the rudder and horizontal stabilizer

with the advent of ailerons and flaperons, it is not necessary for a flying wing like the Spirit to utilize one; a rudder makes a plane turn in a flat arc to left or right, the same as turning the steering wheel in your vehicle; older planes went either left or right, up or down; since modern planes are not limited to flat planes of operation, the tail or rear stabilizer is not necessary

There are several threads here on the forum that discuss the B2 and its flight systems and characteristics

Seeker
Title: Re: B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber - it has no vertical stabiliser - how does it stay up?
Post by: rdunk on July 27, 2017, 01:21:53 pm
The B2 Spirit...............this pic does give us a good look at the trailing wing control surfaces!

Click pic to enlarge for better view!

(https://s18.postimg.org/vznbao69l/Screen_Shot_2017-07-27_at_3.16.11_PM.jpg)