Amenities that help B-2 bomber pilots fly for 73 hours straight

B-2 Spirit pilots have sleeping quarters and even toilets to carry out airstrikes lasting dozens of hours.

B-2 bombers scrambled to attack ISIS.

Two B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, launched from a US air base, recently flew for 30 consecutive hours across the Atlantic to strike Islamic State (IS) militant targets in Libya.

This wasn't the longest mission for a B-2. In late 2001, a B-2 completed a 73-hour continuous flight to bomb insurgent targets in Afghanistan.

To undertake such long journeys, in addition to aerial refueling support, the B-2 Spirit is equipped with numerous amenities to help pilots feel comfortable, according to Popular Mechanic.

The B-2 Spirit's cockpit is considered relatively small, but not cramped, allowing the pilot to sit comfortably during flight.

Behind the two seats is a flat floor area about 2 meters long. Pilots can spread out mattresses to sleep on, however many sleep directly on the floor without mattresses. They take turns resting to ensure the aircraft remains under human control.

The cockpit of a B-2 Spirit bomber. Photo: Reddit.

Behind the right-hand seat is a stainless steel toilet with no surrounding walls. This feature helps pilots feel comfortable during long flights, and is considered better than the cramped cockpits of attack aircraft.

Autopilot systems assist the pilot during flight, eliminating the need for constant steering wheel control. The aircraft can follow pre-planned flight paths using a global positioning system (GPS). This frees up the pilot's hands for tasks such as communication or meals.

All these amenities ensure that pilots are healthy enough to perform flights lasting dozens of hours.

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According to VNE