GAO: B2 Vulnerable to Moist Weather

The investigative arm of Congress says the Air Force has discovered that the B-2 bomber “must be sheltered or exposed only to the most benign environments--low humidity, no precipitation, moderate temperatures” to avoid long and costly repairs. The report by the General Accounting Office said the Air Force believes it unlikely the problem “will ever by fully resolved” and has dropped plans to station any bombers overseas, where it lacks climate-controlled shelters. Twenty-one of the planes are being built by Northrop Grumman Corp. for $44.7 billion. Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Va., said the B-2 is still able to perform its mission by flying anywhere from its base in Missouri.