B-21 Raider will become the main American strategic strike force. It will have the dual capacity to launch conventional and nuclear munitions.
At a time when the war in Ukraine dominates the news, the specialist portal Interesting Engineering has confirmed that the B-21 Raider plane, the US Air Force’s classified attack bomber, is closer to making its first flight because left the production facility in California.
This aircraft will become the main strategic attack force of the Americans, it will have, according to information from military experts, the ability to bomb large cities like Moscow or Beijing without being detected and the dual capacity to launch conventional and nuclear munitions.
The first B-21, named in honor of the Doolittle Raiders who carried out a surprise attack against Japan during World War II, enters the calibration and testing phases that will be finalized with the first flight, which should take place in September.
Six test B-21s are currently under construction at Northrop Grumman’s facility near Edwards base, but Defense News reports that the Pentagon is planning to buy 100 of these planes to replace its entire fleet of strategic bombers, an estimated investment. by $203 billion (€185 billion) by the 2050s.
An artist rendering of the B-21 Raider was released, showing an interpretation what what the new bomber would look like based on the aircraft's design. https://t.co/B8M9bzdQsx
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) July 7, 2021
It is still unknown what speed the B-21 Raider will be able to reach, as well as the size and structure of the plane. What is known is that the engines are placed close to the base of the wing and that the exhaust pipes are responsible for hiding the infrared shape of the engine.
“The B-21 Raider will give the United States a strategic asset capable of penetrating enemy air defenses and hitting targets anywhere in the world – something that approximately 90% of the country’s current bomber fleet is unable to do,” Northrop said. Grumman mo their official website.
Apparently, the world powers that rival the United States, China, and Russia do not have any plane that resembles this aircraft.
As long as the B-21 does not enter service with the US Air Force, it will continue to be the B-2, with a range of 11,000 kilometers and a wingspan of 52 meters, the most powerful aircraft in the United States. The aircraft, officially named Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, proved its worth in the Kosovo war, where it destroyed 33% of all its ground targets during the first eight weeks of NATO intervention in the conflict, and also in Afghanistan after 11 September and the second Iraq war.
Source: with agencies
