B-21 Raider may fly with only one pilot thanks to advanced AI systems (X @usairforce)
The United States Air Force is considering operating the new stealth bomber B-21 Raider with just one pilot and a weapons systems officer (WSO), instead of two pilots as is currently the case with the B-2 Spirit.
The proposal, presented by General Thomas Bussiere, suggests a high level of automation and the use of onboard artificial intelligence, capable of assisting with flight, navigation, and combat tasks — and even, in the future, enabling fully unmanned missions.
Designed from the ground up with an open digital architecture, the B-21 promises to incorporate advanced autonomous systems, providing real-time tactical support such as attack recommendations, evasion, and electronic warfare. The presence of a WSO instead of a co-pilot reinforces the idea that the Raider is more than just a bomber: it will also perform electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and unmanned aircraft control functions. This configuration also follows the philosophy of fighters like the F-15E, where the second crew member can take over command in emergencies.
Although the concept of unmanned operations is still in its early stages, experts point out that the level of automation in the B-21 makes it the most advanced bomber ever developed. The Air Force has already received two pre-production units and plans to begin operations by the end of the decade, with at least 100 aircraft in service. The new fleet is expected to redefine how the United States conducts long-range strategic missions.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: X @usairforce | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
