The US Air Force plans to unveil the most advanced aircraft ever created early next month after spending nearly $203 billion on the program.
In just a matter of days, the U.S. Air Force will unveil its first new bomber in more than 30 years. The Air Force’s sixth-generation, top-secret stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, will officially be unveiled for the first time in public on Friday, December 2.
The B-21 Raider will be ready for deployment by early next year. It will gradually replace the B-1 and B-2 — the military’s current stealth bombers.
The B-21 has been designed by military contractor Northrop Grumman. Vice-president of Northrop Doug Young said, “This is the most advanced military aircraft ever built.” At present, six B-21 stealth bombers are being readied in Palmdale, California, at a cost of about $2 billion per aircraft.
According to reports, the new aircraft will deliver “long range, high survivability, and mission payload flexibility”.
The B-21 is also being touted as a ‘digital bomber’, which will be able to use agile technology and cloud computing for faster and more flexible communication.
“The B-21 is the most advanced military aircraft ever built and is a product of pioneering innovation and technological excellence,” Dough Young, Northrop sector vice president, and general manager, declared.
“I think it’s the first view of what’s going to be a great capability for our country,“ Tom Jones, president of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics System, stated, as Defense One reported. “B-21 really kind of takes it [to] the next step as you’re dealing with larger aircraft, better signatures, and the tolerances required to do all that.”
The brave spirit of the Doolittle Raiders is the inspiration behind the B-21 Raider’s name, Northrop explained. All of Doolittles’ aircraft were destroyed during the bombing, but he was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted to Brigadier General when he returned to the United States.
The Air Force is broadcasting the unveiling of the B-21 Raider online Friday, December 2, at 8 p.m. EST on its Facebook page.
“Designed to operate in tomorrow’s high-end threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America’s enduring airpower capability,” the Air Force said.
We can’t wait for the world to see the real thing. Join us for a live-stream of the reveal of B-21 Raider this Friday: https://t.co/4ZHRxsU8TX
This changes everything. #DefiningPossible #RiseoftheRaider pic.twitter.com/GwU8i8Wl6n
— Northrop Grumman (@northropgrumman) November 27, 2022
The Air Force has said it intends to purchase at least 100 aircraft that will form the backbone of the service’s bomber force.
The first B-21 flight is projected for 2023 and will be scheduled based on the outcomes of ground tests, Northrop Grumman said. The stealth bomber is designed to carry out long-range conventional and nuclear missions and is slated to hit full operations in the mid-2020s.
Sources: DailyWire, Defense One
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