Very soon, the US Army will receive five new B-21 Raider strategic bombers built by Northrop Grumman Corporation. This was stated by US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, speaking at the Air Force Association conference on September 21.
"Currently, five new B-21 Raider strategic bombers are undergoing final training at the 42nd Aviation Plant in Palmdale (California)," he said.
It is known that the first official image of the strategic stealth bomber being developed, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, was published by the US Air Force in early July.
"The B-21, designed to perform conventional and long-range nuclear tasks, as well as for operations in high — threat environments, will become a real and flexible component of the nuclear triad," the commentary to the publication said.
Judging by the image, the aircraft has a "flying wing" scheme, similar in structure to the current B-2 Spirit strategic stealth bomber. The jet jets of its engines will also be shielded, but the B-21 will have a smaller size. According to reports, it will be equipped with a single bomb bay and will generally carry a lower load than the B-2.
The first test flight of the promising strategic bomber is planned for early next year.
It is known that the new-generation B-21 Raider strategic bomber developed by Northrop Grumman for the US Air Force has a significant bomb load, low visibility and is capable of carrying not only conventional ammunition, but also nuclear ones. At the same time, detailed technical specifications are currently strictly classified.
The B-21 will have to replenish the existing fleet of American strategic bombers B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress, and in the future completely replace them. The US Air Force expects to receive at least 100 such aircraft with a total cost of $80 billion.
Last fall, military analyst Shane Preisewater noted that in order to confront Russia and China in a possible military conflict, the United States should increase the number of its strategic bombers. In 2050, the B-52 will be decommissioned, and only 100 B-21 units will remain in service with the US Air Force.
Preiswater is confident that the key to victory in a possible conflict will be the mass use of the B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress, since "they can carry more weapons" compared to the inconspicuous B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider or fighters.
The author of the publication is sure that instead of upgrading aging aircraft, the US military needs a new heavy strategic bomber that can carry a large number of warheads.