US Air Force unveils new B-21 bomber, plans to order 500

Robert Besser
07 Dec 2022, 05:35 GMT+10

Northrop Grumman has unveiled its new B-21 "Raider" jet, the first in a new fleet of long-range stealth nuclear bombers for the U.S. Air Force
A ceremony was held at the company's Plant 42 to offer the public its first look at the new bomber
By using long-range and mid-air refueling techniques, the B-21, which has a similar "flying wing" shape as its predecessor, the B-2, will be able to deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons around the world

PALMDALE, California: Northrop Grumman has unveiled its new B-21 "Raider" jet, the first in a new fleet of long-range stealth nuclear bombers for the U.S. Air Force.

A ceremony was held at the company's Plant 42 to offer the public its first look at the new bomber.

By using long-range and mid-air refueling techniques, the B-21, which has a similar "flying wing" shape as its predecessor, the B-2, will be able to deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons around the world.

The Air Force plans to buy at least 100 of the aircraft, which cost some $550 million each in 2010 dollars, or about $750 million in today's inflation-adjusted dollars, to replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers.

In 2015, Northrop overcame competition from Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp, to win the contract to build the bomber.

According to Northrop, the B-21 is a sixth generation aircraft, and it can connect to other aircraft and easily deploy future weapons.

In an interview with Reuters, Doug Young of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems said the B-21 also features more durable, stealth-enabling low observable surface material, which will require less maintenance and minimize operations costs and down-time.

More than 8,000 employees from Northrop Grumman, industry partners and the US Air Force are currently working on the project.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Philippine Times.

More Information