Highly Speculative: What the B-2 Low Altitude Penetrator might have looked like

In 1979, Northrop began studies for a low-observable strategic bomber that would eventually result in the B-2 “Spirit” stealth bomber as we know it.

However, in the early days, two basic mission profiles were studied for the new aircraft: high altitude penetration and low altitude penetration.

High altitude penetration allowed a much more efficient aircraft and resulted in the genesis of the B-2’s long-span flying wing; eventually, the high-altitude penetrator flying wing was selected and modified to fill the low-altitude penetrator role.

Based on the research and the subsequent Autocad line drawings by Scott Lowther over at Aerospaceprojectsreview.com, Kurt Beswick has illustrated the Northrop LAP (Low Altitude Penetrator) concept that you can find in this post (please note that although the B-2 was the successor of the high and low altitude penetrator concepts, the artist has dubbed it “B-2 LAP,” a designation we have kept in this article.)

Vaguely reminding a Boeing study for a low-altitude stealth bomber dating back to 1979 Beswick’s LAP is a reviewed version of what is believed to be the basic design on which Northrop’s low altitude penetrator studies focused back in the 1970s.

theaviationist.com...

Damn, this thing is just damn sexy.

a reply to: anzha
Great find! This really reminds me of a fast mover that a certain "mountainbat" reported spotting whilst on top of tikaboo peak a very long time ago.
this design immediately reminded me of the artist concept of that sighting.
Anyone else see this? Or am I dilusional?

a reply to: HomeyKXTA

I am going to go with, they went ahead and produced it, and actually managed to keep it quiet, especially with all the attention at the time on the B-2 (spirit) and F-117

a reply to: AmericanRealist

I believe they've made a few bombers that the public is not aware about. Even saw one flying near los angeles in the daytime a few mobths ago that i only told a few members here about. But that particular one was gorgeous from what i could tell. So i wouldnt be surprised if this one got made too.

I think the mountain bat sighting was of a high speed spyplane type aircraft based on the descriptions of enormous engine intakes and outlet along with a powerful roar when operating

Low Altitude Penetrator

I was expecting a phallic shape.

How would it B 2 ride my LAP?

Looks close to what Ive been told about, a few things wrong though.

a reply to: TheMaxHeadroomIncident

I shouldn't add more, it almost touches the ground.

beautiful looking plane. Looks like something out of a Bond movie.

There's always been the F-111 replacement that's been alluded to from time to time.

a reply to: Northernhollow
Ooohhh rabbit hole to wander down..Point the way..

a reply to: Blackfinger

Some people are suspiciously quiet on this one as well...

a reply to: AmericanRealist

The general shape reminds me of the Amarillo sighting (who knows in the end unless you're read into the SAP) but it's cool to know there's at least some plan forms with such a sweet look to them out there..

I just hope at some point some of the 80s / 90s black aircraft will come to light...

a reply to: anzha

Very black-triangly looking. Too bad they never made it, it would be cool if people had been seeing black triangles flying at low altitude for several years now!!

a reply to: Bfirez

Well, officially it was only ever a concept, so maybe the parties in question never really knew about them??

"officially" speaking ... of course....

They have a picture of THAT refueling , with 2 escorts it's a SMALL but I have seen it before.

a reply to: cavtrooper7

You sure? You don't think it may have been a more recent UAV model perhaps as opposed to this LAP?

a reply to: cavtrooper7

It's also fake. They took a picture of three F-111s and overlaid a triangle on the one on the boom.

a reply to: Zaphod58

but this concept was real right??

a reply to: AmericanRealist

The concept was. They looked at a low altitude penetrating platform because they thought that even with stealth they'd be too vulnerable at higher altitudes.