The B-21 Raider bomber is being built by Northrop Grumman as part of the US Air Force's long-range bomber program.
The latest render includes not onlyan updated version of the delta-wing stealth bomber, but Edwards Air Force Base in California is in the background. It was there that the 420th Flight Test Squadron was tasked with planning, testing, analyzing and reporting the B-21's flights and ground tests.
USAF
The B-21 has passed a critical design check andis currently at the design and production stage. At this stage, not only the aircraft itself is considered, but also the corresponding production infrastructure and production supply chain.
Planned for service by 2027, B-21The Raider is designed to work in conjunction with the B-52 Stratofortress, B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers. As the B-21 fleet grows to an expected size of over 100 gliders, it will replace the B-1 and B-2, as well as the B-52, unless a life extension program is undertaken.
The B-21 is designed as a dual-use penetrating stealth bomber that can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons in counter-attack and direct attack versions.
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