Unveiling the Future: The B-21 Bomber Revealed on December 2nd!
The Air Force announced on Oct. 20 that it intends to unveil the B-21 Raider on Dec. 2 during a ceremonial event organized and sponsored by Northrop Grumman Corporation at its manufacturing facilities in Palmdale, California.
The B-21 represents a long-range, highly resilient, penetrating strike stealth bomber that will gradually replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers, establishing the foundation of the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet.
“The introduction of the B-21 Raider will mark a significant milestone for our Air Force and the nation,” stated Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. “We last rolled out a new bomber more than 30 years ago. As we evaluate the emerging threats from our pacing challenge, it is imperative we continue our rapid modernization efforts. The B-21 Raider will deliver exceptional combat capabilities across a spectrum of operations in the highly contested environments we anticipate in the future.”
The Department of the Air Force is committing resources to enhance the aircraft’s long-range strike prowess as part of its seven Operational Imperatives, developing advanced communication systems, sensors, a diverse array of weaponry, and supporting systems to deter adversaries and secure victory in combat.
We must focus on long-range strike capabilities within a contested environment by integrating the B-21 bomber with sophisticated communications, sensors, and a diverse arsenal of weaponry and supporting systems.
Following the unveiling, the B-21 initiative will proceed with an extensive testing campaign involving a collaborative team of experts from the Air Force Test Center, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, and Northrop Grumman. Their efforts will validate the performance and identify potential enhancements for the weapon system.
“The B-21 initiative serves as a compelling illustration of America’s extensive history of deploying advanced military technologies through an innovative, adaptable, and efficient defense industrial base,” articulated Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. “The Air Force made an early determination in the program’s lifecycle to make the flight test aircraft production representative, which is yielding benefits as we approach the first flight.”
The B-21 weapon system is produced under the Air Force’s agreement with Northrop Grumman. It features an open systems architecture, facilitating the swift integration of mature technologies, ensuring the aircraft remains effective as threats diversify over time.
U.S. Air Force
