The B-21 Raider, the nation’s most recent high-tech strategic bomber, has been unveiled. It can fly without a crew aboard and can carry a nuclear payload.
On Friday, a glittering ceremony was held at the Northrop Grumman facility in California, where the next-generation stealth bomber was rolled out to high-ranking US officials.
A Northrop Grumman spokesperson stated that the US Air Force intends to purchase at least 100 of the B-21 aircraft, which cost $700 million per plane.
The US, Russia, and China are experiencing increased geopolitical tensions due to the war in Ukraine and Taiwan’s territorial integrity at the same time as the new bombers are unveiled.
In a demonstration of the ongoing military cooperation between the two nations, Russian and Chinese strategic bombers flew a joint eight-hour patrol over the western Pacific on Wednesday.
The mission was described as a “routine” effort to strengthen defense ties with Russia by China’s Defense Ministry.
Moscow and Beijing are additionally right now creating key top secret planes – China’s Xian H-20 and Russia’s atomic-skilled Tupolev PAK DA – which are supposed to rival the B-21.
The US Air Force stated that the B-21 is “provisioned for the possibility, but there has been no decision to fly without a crew,” despite the fact that the aircraft can fly without a pilot.
“The B-21 Plunderer is the primary vital plane in over thirty years,” US Safeguard Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a pre-arranged proclamation at Friday’s occasion.
Unveiled today, the B-21 Raider will be a dual-capable, penetrating-strike stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. The B-21 will form the backbone of the future Air Force bomber force consisting of B-21s and B-52s.(U.S. Air Force photo) pic.twitter.com/X6KSU7sy6U
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) December 3, 2022
Austin praised the aircraft’s superior design and range.
Austin stated, “No other long-range bomber can match its efficiency.”
He stated, “In this aircraft, fifty years of advances in low-observable technology have gone into it.”
“The B-21 in the sky will be difficult for even the most sophisticated air defense systems to detect.”
Using long-range and midair refueling capabilities, the B-21, which has a shape that is similar to a “flying wing” to its predecessor, will be able to transport conventional and nuclear weapons around the world.
The new aircraft has been described as “the backbone of our future bomber force” by Northrop Grumman.
The long-range bomber’s first flight, according to the aerospace and design company, is anticipated in 2023. At its California facility, six of the long-range bombers are undergoing various stages of assembly and testing.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
