On September 18, during the Air, Space and Cyber Association conference, the United States Air Force revealed new images of its sixth-generation stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider.
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The bomber, designed to replace aircraft like the B-1 Lancer, is a central piece of the U.S. nuclear deterrence triad.
During the panel, Thomas Jones, president of aerospace systems at Northrop Grumman, highlighted the progress of the B-21 development program. “We are really speeding up the pace, conducting two test flights a week,” Jones said, explaining that the company has established a plan to ensure that the bomber is capable of daily flights. “It has been a phenomenal year of progress, and we are excited to continue moving forward next year,” he added.
The B-21 Raider has undergone a series of static tests necessary to assess the aircraft’s structural integrity, with a focus on the effective use of digital models during its creation. Fatigue tests are also underway to ensure the bomber’s durability and robustness.
General Thomas Bussière, head of the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, praised the technological advancements of the B-21. “No one on the planet is doing what we are doing right now. No one is capable of building a platform as sophisticated and technologically advanced as the B-21, and, frankly, no one can take the risks we are willing to take, at the time and place of our choosing,” Bussière said.
The B-21 Raider was developed under tight secrecy and was officially unveiled for the first time in December 2022, with its first flight occurring in November 2023. The U.S. Air Force plans to equip itself with about 100 of these bombers.
The first operational base for the B-21 Raider will be Ellsworth, followed by the Whiteman and Dice airbases. The bomber promises to be a key element in the modernization of U.S. strategic defense, integrating cutting-edge technology and playing a crucial role in the country’s nuclear deterrence.
Source and images: X @usairforce. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
