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New Air Force B-21 Raider stealth bomber rendering released

A B-21 Raider is shown in this artist rendering graphic. The rendering highlights the future stealth bomber with Edwards Air Force Base, CA, as the backdrop. [Photo: Courtesy of Northrop Grumman]

 

 

 

 

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has released a new artist rendering of its B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The Air Force plans to replace its B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit stealth bombers incrementally to form a two-bomber fleet of B-21s and modified B-52s.

The B-21 Raider will be a dual-capable penetrating strike stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions at long ranges. The USAF says the super-hush-hush B-21 "will be a component of a larger family of systems for conventional Long Range Strike, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance; electronic attack; communication; and other capabilities." It will be nuclear capable and designed to accommodate manned or unmanned operations. Additionally, it will be able "to employ a broad mix of stand-off and direct-attack munitions."

"Nuclear modernization is a top priority for the Department of Defense and the Air Force, and B-21 is key to that plan," said Randall Walden, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director. "The built-in feature of open systems architecture on the B-21 makes the bomber effective as the threat environment evolves. This aircraft design approach sets the nation on the right path to ensuring America's enduring airpower capability."

The Air Force awarded the B-21 Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract to Northrop Grumman on Oct. 27, 2015. Northrop Grumman's partners on the B-21 program include Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Spirit Aerosystems. The initial order calls for a minimum of 100 aircraft. The Air Force has stated it expects first aircraft deliveries in mid-2020s.

The new rendering is only one of a handful of glimpses we've gotten of the B-21. The first was an artist's image released by prime contractor Northrop Grumman in 2017.

B-21 Raider artist rendering graphic 2017. [Photo: Courtesy of Northrop Grumman]

 

 

The second was also a Northrop Grumman rendering released in February 2021, this time of a B-21 in a hangar.

B-21 Raider artist rendering in hangar 2021. [Photo: Courtesy of Northrop Grumman]

 

 

What is most noticeable, especially if you look at the 2017 image, is the aircraft has taken on a much simpler shape compared to the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit Stealth planes, which featured more jagged back wings that were designed around the engine exhausts. The B-21 design does not appear to have these features. If you look at the media-released image of the B-2 Spirit bomber below, you can clearly see the more jagged, older design.

It has been 32 years since the B-2 Spirit first took to the skies. That craft is 69 ft long, 17 ft high, and has a wingspan of 172 ft -- half the length of a football field. It can reach a high subsonic speed and can also reach an altitude of more 50,000 ft. It can travel 6,000 nautical miles without refueling and 10,000 nautical miles with only one refueling. It can reach any point in the world within hours. Its payload capacity is 20 tons.

B-2 Spirit over desert. [Photo: Courtesy of Northrop Grumman]

 

 

To date, Northrop Grumman has brought its digital design of the B-21 Raider to life in the form of two test aircraft in production right now. The B-21's design was proven stable and mature through a successful Critical Design Review completed in November 2018 at Northrop Grumman's Manned Aircraft Design Center of Excellence in Melbourne, FL. The aircraft are being built at Northrop Grumman's Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in Palmdale, CA.

Specs of the new the B-21 Raider have not been declassified. There is very little out there, but there has been some interesting sleuthing and conjecture. A March 2021 article in Air Force Magazine says that an image of a temporary B-21 bomber shelter at Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD (a possible future airbase for the B-21) hints that the B-21 may be substantially smaller than the B-2, with the B-21 sporting a wingspan that totals less than 150 ft. The B-21's payload could also be substantially less.

A November 2019 Forbes article states, "Production costs [for the B-21] will be lower than most observers expect" with the Air Force "insisting that the price of each production bomber not exceed $550 million in 2010 dollars."

But smaller, more technically advanced, and able to carry less does not equate to being less effective or lethal than prior stealth bombers. The Forbes article says, "It will be able to destroy any target, anywhere." Since it will be able to function autonomously, fewer USAF pilot lives will be in jeopardy.

According to Northrop Grumman, "Currently, only 10 percent of our nation's bomber force is capable of penetrating advanced adversary air defenses. As our adversaries have continued investing heavily in sophisticated technologies and weapons platforms that leave them free to act maliciously or extend their reach, a new bomber is critical to deterring potential adversaries, reassuring allies and keeping our nation safe." This is the primary hole the B-21 is designed to fill.

The B-21 Raider is named in honor of the historic Doolittle Raiders, U.S. Army Air Force men who are known for their surprise attack against Japan during World War II on April 18, 1942, which forced the Japanese to recall combat forces for home defense and boosted morale among Americans and U.S. allies abroad. The designation B-21 recognizes the Raider as the first bomber of the 21st century.

Sources: U.S. Air Force, Northrop Grumman, Air Force Magazine, Forbes

Published July 2021

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