B-21
The US Air Force and Northrop Grumman have released the first images of the new B-21 Raider bomber. The photos were taken in combination with artistic renderings against the background of the hangars of Ellsworth Air Force Bases (South Dakota), Whiteman (Missouri) and Dice (Texas).
The B-21 Raider is the first new bomber of the US Air Force since 1988, since its predecessor, the B-2A Spirit. According to the developers, the B-21 will be able to overcome the air defense of a potential enemy, resist the S-400 air defense system and the Chinese 5th-generation J-20 fighter. It will be armed with high-precision samples of conventional and nuclear weapons. The bomber is built according to the "flying wing" scheme, which guarantees it low visibility. So far, a minimum of information is known about the new product, but it has already caused a lot of discussion about the potential capabilities of the B-21 Raider. According to experts, the aircraft is likely to be most effective at medium and high altitudes. It will be two-thirds smaller than its predecessor in size and weight, and will have fewer chassis wheels. According to the publication Aviation Week, the B-21 has a shorter fuselage, and the air intakes are pushed a little further forward to increase the internal volume for the crew's life support systems, fuel tanks, various sensors and weapons. All weapons will be located in the internal compartments. The Air Force intends to order at least 100 B-21s, and according to some information – 200 or more. The first flight was scheduled for the end of this year, but most likely will happen in early 2022.
B-21
