For the United States Air Force, Northrop Grumman created the B-21 Raider heavy bomber.
Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman
Status: In development
Primary user: United States Air Force
Role: Stealth strategic bomber
The Air Force intends to purchase a new long-range fighter known as "Penetrating Counter-Air," which will accompany the B-21 Raider deep into enemy territory. The new fighter, about which little is known, would assist the bomber in surviving enemy air defences.
The B-21 Raider will be standing by, silent and ready, to deliver America's resolve. The B-21 Raider will be capable of breaching the most formidable defences and delivering precise strikes anywhere in the world. The B-21 is the deterrent of the future.
The bomber was expected to enter service in 2026–27 as of 2021. It is intended to supplement and eventually replace the existing Rockwell B-1 Lancer, Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, and Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bomber fleets in US service.
How many B-21 Raiders exist?
There are currently six of those present. In September 2021, the Air Force announced publicly that there were five B-21s in various stages of production at Northrop Grumman's Air Force Plant 42 facility in Palmdale, California.
What is the distinction between b2 and B-21?
The new B-21 Raider is related to the B-2 Spirit, but the two bombers will differ significantly in size, as well as the number of engines and payload. Critically, the B-21 will be at least two generations ahead of its elder stablemate in terms of low-observable technology.
What is the top speed of the B-21 Raider?
While the thrust numbers are higher than on the B-2, the B-21 is expected to have only two instead of the Spirit's four. Because of this reduction, the B-21's top speed is expected to be 621 MPH.
5 The B-21 Raider is powered by the same engine as the F-35.
Is the B-21 a supersonic aircraft?
Although the B-21 is expected to be a subsonic aircraft (unable to exceed the speed of sound), its long fuel range and in-flight refuelling capabilities will allow it to engage targets all over the world from any military air strip long enough to support it.
Is the B-21 bigger than the B-2?
The B-21 is thought to be smaller than the B-2, with a payload of around 30,000 pounds, just enough to carry one GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator precision-guided conventional bomb, the largest in the Air Force inventory.
What is the price of the B-21 Raider?
According to a service estimate released in September of last year, the next-generation B-21 stealth bomber programme will cost taxpayers at least $203 billion to develop, purchase, and operate 100 aircraft over a three-decade period.
