B-2's fender bender will cost $500,000 to fix

April 10, 1998
Web posted at: 10:13 p.m. EDT (0213 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Bat-wing B-2 Stealth bombers are the world's most expensive airplanes, at more than $2 billion each -- and the costly results of a relatively minor fender bender illustrate why.

The Air Force says it will cost at least $500,000 to repair damage to the plane's radar-absorbing skin that occurred in February as the plane was being refueled in the air. An Air Force officer described the damage as "pinhole perforations" to the "leading edge" of one of the wings.

Air Force officials suspect "static discharge" from two lightning strikes that occurred during refueling may be to blame, but they aren't sure.

The costly B-2 has come under fire from critics who say the plane is too delicate to be used for sustained operations or for overseas deployments.

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