---
title: "You Have To See The Rest Of What May Be The Coolest Shot Ever Of The B-2 Stealth Bomber"
description: "This totally unique photo of the most expensive combat aircraft ever made looks like it is was taken in the future and of a spaceship."
date: "2018-07-06"
modified: "2018-07-06"
authors:
  - name: "Tyler Rogoway"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway.md"
url: "https://www.twz.com/21999/you-have-to-see-the-rest-of-what-may-be-the-coolest-shot-of-the-b-2-stealth-bomber-ever"
categories:
  - "Air"
  - "Air Forces"
  - "B-2"
  - "Bombers"
  - "Stealth"
  - "U.S. Air Force"
tags:
  - "B-2"
  - "B-21"
  - "B-2A"
  - "Flying Wing"
  - "Must Read Features"
  - "Northrop Grumman"
  - "Spirit"
  - "stealth"
  - "Stealth Bomber"
---

# You Have To See The Rest Of What May Be The Coolest Shot Ever Of The B-2 Stealth Bomber

![](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-twz/content/2018/07/jjajjc131.jpg>)
*www.twz.com*

The [B-2 Spirit looks](<https://www.twz.com/7031/why-the-b-2-stealth-bomber-was-used-to-strike-isis-camps-in-libya.md>) just as futuristic today as it did when it was unveiled to the public [three decades ago](<https://www.twz.com/14919/the-b-21s-three-decade-old-shape-hints-at-new-high-altitude-capabilities.md>). It is my favorite aircraft to photograph and I am still amazed at how dramatically it can 'morph' in appearance depending on the lighting and angle of view. But there is one image I recently found that may be the most unique of the stealth bomber.

If you follow me on Twitter, you know the flying-wing bomber's ability to 'change shape' in [front of the camera lens](<https://www.twz.com/12521/b-2-stealth-bomber-flanked-by-f-15s-stuns-at-the-royal-international-air-tattoo.md>) is a bit of an obsession of mine.

https://twitter.com/_/status/957133858830352384

https://twitter.com/_/status/873999195417399296

https://twitter.com/_/status/960225489854988288

The B-2 can look downright alien as well, and even like the subject of a popular science-fiction adventure story from the 1980s.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1010373097797500928

https://twitter.com/_/status/1010376271287611392

Yet this photo, taken by Michael L. Abramson in 1999, is totally unique. It has a real techno-thriller aura and a sense of mystery. It also paints a deep contrast between man and machine. It seems to make clear that the pilots are just visitors within the B-2's seemingly otherworldly realm. The 35mm texture also adds to the atmosphere of the image.

![message-editor%2F1530916350530-kak01.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1530916350530-kak01.jpg>)
**Michael L. Abramson—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty**

Thankfully, we have at least another 15 years to enjoy the finely sculpted Spirit [before it is fully replaced](<https://www.twz.com/18410/usafs-controversial-new-plan-to-retire-b-2-and-b-1-bombers-early-is-a-good-one.md>) by the [B-21 Raider](<https://www.twz.com/19726/mysterious-b-21-raider-combined-test-force-patch-emerges.md>). What happens to the 20 stealth bombers after that is [up in the air](<https://www.twz.com/21914/the-air-force-cant-say-what-it-plans-to-do-with-its-retired-b-2-bombers.md>), but don't expect many of them to end up in museums as even after four and a half decades their radar-evading structure will still be highly classified.

What's your favorite B-2 pic? Show it to us in the comments section below.

*Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com*

## Author
Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel>)