The promising strategic low-visibility B-21 Raider bomber of the US Air Force, called the killer of the Russian S-400 "Triumph" anti-aircraft missile systems, is a ray of light in the Pentagon budget, the American magazine Popular Mechanics admits.
According to the publication, comparing the B-21 Raider program with other military purchases, the strategic bomber will be created in the previously announced time, which will be a miracle. "Success stories of military procurement, to put it mildly, are rare," the magazine summarizes.
The publication recalls that, for example, the KC-46A Pegasus air tanker program is seven years behind in terms of implementation, and the current project budget exceeded the initial one by $ 4.6 billion.
In January, the magazine said that the B-21 Raider bomber created by Northrop Grumman could become the coolest aircraft in the world.
According to open data, the US Air Force plans to receive at least 100 units of the B-21 Raider at a total cost of $ 80 billion. These strategic bombers should replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit. The first flight of the B-21 Raider is scheduled for 2022.
Ivan Potapov
