Northrop Grumman completes B-2 Spirit of Kitty Hawk overhaul, restoring stealth surfaces

Northrop Grumman completed scheduled depot maintenance on the B-2 Spirit of Kitty Hawk, aircraft 93-1086, and returned it to Whiteman Air Force Base on October 7, 2026. The work at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, included structural maintenance and restoration of low-observable surfaces essential to preserving the bomber's stealth characteristics. The aircraft is now expected to pass through the 509th Bomb Wing's modification process for further stealth-related and communications upgrades before resuming its full assigned role. Completion of the depot visit therefore represents a maintenance milestone, not confirmation that every follow-on modification and operational clearance has already been completed.