PALMDALE, Calif. - April 2, 2009 - The B-2 bomber-themed motorcycle commissioned by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first flight of the stealthy aircraft is expected to roll into America's living rooms on Thursday, April 9.
The custom design and build of the B-2 Stealth Bike by Orange County Choppers, Newburgh, N.Y., will be featured on the 2009 season premiere of the cable TV reality series "American Chopper," which airs on TLC at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT. Check local listings for show times.
A video accompanying this release is available at http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=161648
"We named our bike 'The Spirit of Innovation' to honor the engineering innovation and the successful Northrop Grumman/Air Force partnership that developed and today sustains and modernizes the B-2 bomber," said Dave Mazur, Northrop Grumman's vice president of long range strike and the company's B-2 program manager. "The bike also honors the airmen and families of the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo., whose daily sacrifices keep the B-2 fleet ready to protect the nation's interests worldwide."
Northrop Grumman is the Air Force's prime contractor for the B-2 stealth bomber, the flagship of the nation's long range strike arsenal. The aircraft made its first flight on July 17, 1989.
The B-2 Stealth Bike was designed by Orange County Choppers to capture the look, feel and aura of one of the world's most revolutionary and most survivable weapon systems. Its gas tank and extended front cowling are shaped to resemble the aircraft's unique cockpit and fuselage. Each side of each of its wheels contains five individually machined B-2 models positioned in the shape of an Air Force star. And its handlebars, seat and "aft deck" are set parallel to the leading edge of its gas tank, mimicking the B-2's stealthy "planform-aligned" design.
Northrop Grumman is featuring the B-2 Stealth Bike at 20th anniversary events throughout 2009. It will be appearing at aerospace industry trade shows, military air shows and on college campuses. A highlight of this celebration will be an historical re-enactment of the B-2's first flight in July from the company's B-2 program headquarters in Palmdale.
Orange County Choppers (OCC) is considered one of the world's premier builders of custom motorcycles. The "American Chopper" series chronicles the lives of OCC principals Paul Teutul, Sr., Paul Teutul, Jr. and son Mikey as they battle deadlines to create custom choppers.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.