Washington. October 21. INTERFAX - The new American strategic bomber B-21 Raider, created by Northrop Grumman Corporation, will be presented on December 2 during a ceremony at the plant in Palmdale (California), the US Air Force Global Strike Command reported.
"The presentation of the B-21 Raider will be a historic moment for our Air Force and the country," said Air Force Chief of Staff General C.Q. Brown.
"The last time we presented a new bomber was more than 30 years ago," he added.
According to him, the B-21 Raider will have unique combat capabilities for future operations and will become the basis of US strategic aviation.
As follows from the Pentagon data, the first American strategic stealth bomber B-21 of the new generation is planned to be introduced into the operational composition of the US Air Force in the mid-2020s.
The first test flight of the new B-21 Raider stealth bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons will be conducted next year.
The early Command of the US Air Force Global strike reported that test flights would begin before the end of this year. The reasons for the postponement are not reported. According to the American media, this may be due to a delay in the supply of components or identified technical problems.
Currently, there are six B-21 Raider strategic bombers in the United States at one stage or another.
According to reports, the aircraft's machinery and equipment have already passed preliminary computer testing. In the coming months, ground tests of the engines will be carried out.
The first B-21 Raider bombers are currently undergoing final training at the 42nd Aviation Plant in Palmdale, California.
In July last year, the US Air Force has already published the first official image of a promising strategic stealth bomber B-21 Raider, being developed according to the "flying wing" scheme.
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 both conventional ammunition and nuclear weapons.
The detailed technical specifications of the B-21 are strictly classified.
The aircraft is designed to replenish the existing fleet of American strategic bombers B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress, and in the future - their replacement. The US Air Force plans to receive at least 100 B-21 Raider aircraft with a total cost of $80 billion.
