Release of the new US Air Force B21 Bomber
- Thread starter teamzr1
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teamzr1
Supporting vendor
The US Air Force appears to have gone to great lengths to hide the true color of their new stealth bomber, displaying the advanced military aircraft in a range of lighting conditions, amid growing threats from China and Russia.
Reports of the Friday event, describe the B-21 Raider to be a 'very light gray in color' which experts say is 'critical for its low observable capabilities' and 'its likely use during the day.'
However, images and footage of the aircraft, show the futuristic stealth bomber appearing to be different colors inside of a facility in which it has been displayed.
Images and footage from an event, which marked the first time in more than 30 years a new US bomber had been unveiled publicly, also show the futuristic bomber silhouetted and drenched in blue lights.
This theatrical lighting display has made it difficult to determine the true shade of the 'hard-to-see coating' which the Air Force have said will be used to make 'complicated threats' to China and Russia.
The B-21 is more survivable and can take on these much more difficult threats.'
The futuristic aircraft is the first to be revealed since the B-2 Spirit was presented in 1988. While the US originally planned to have a fleet of 132 B-2s
The B-21 Raider stealth bomber, also referred to as T1 or aircraft number 001, is undergoing ground testing and set to make its first flight sometime next year
B-21 Raider
Mission
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. Designed to operate in tomorrow’s high-end threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America’s enduring airpower capability.
Features
The B-21 Raider 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.
The B-21 is being designed with open systems' architecture to reduce integration risk and enable competition for future modernization efforts to allow for the aircraft to evolve as the threat environment changes.
Background
The Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office leads the development of the B-21 Raider under the direction of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Secretary of the Air Force.
The Air Force awarded the B-21 Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract to Northrop Grumman on October 27th, 2015. Northrop Grumman’s partners on the B-21 program include Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems and Spirit Aerosystems.
In 2018, the program successfully conducted the weapon systems Critical Design Review, a comprehensive program-wide evaluation of design maturity, stability and risk.
In 2019, the Air Force completed the Strategic Basing Process announcing Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri; and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas are the preferred locations for B-21 main operating bases.
After completing the Environmental Impact Statement process as required by the National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory processes, in 2021, the Air Force named Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota as the first B-21 main operating base and location of the Formal Training Unit.
The Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California will host the B-21 Combined Test Force and the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma is the site for depot planning.
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.
Reports of the Friday event, describe the B-21 Raider to be a 'very light gray in color' which experts say is 'critical for its low observable capabilities' and 'its likely use during the day.'
However, images and footage of the aircraft, show the futuristic stealth bomber appearing to be different colors inside of a facility in which it has been displayed.
Images and footage from an event, which marked the first time in more than 30 years a new US bomber had been unveiled publicly, also show the futuristic bomber silhouetted and drenched in blue lights.
This theatrical lighting display has made it difficult to determine the true shade of the 'hard-to-see coating' which the Air Force have said will be used to make 'complicated threats' to China and Russia.
The B-21 is more survivable and can take on these much more difficult threats.'
The futuristic aircraft is the first to be revealed since the B-2 Spirit was presented in 1988. While the US originally planned to have a fleet of 132 B-2s
The B-21 Raider stealth bomber, also referred to as T1 or aircraft number 001, is undergoing ground testing and set to make its first flight sometime next year
B-21 Raider
Mission
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. Designed to operate in tomorrow’s high-end threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America’s enduring airpower capability.
Features
The B-21 Raider 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.
The B-21 is being designed with open systems' architecture to reduce integration risk and enable competition for future modernization efforts to allow for the aircraft to evolve as the threat environment changes.
Background
The Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office leads the development of the B-21 Raider under the direction of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Secretary of the Air Force.
The Air Force awarded the B-21 Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract to Northrop Grumman on October 27th, 2015. Northrop Grumman’s partners on the B-21 program include Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems and Spirit Aerosystems.
In 2018, the program successfully conducted the weapon systems Critical Design Review, a comprehensive program-wide evaluation of design maturity, stability and risk.
In 2019, the Air Force completed the Strategic Basing Process announcing Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri; and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas are the preferred locations for B-21 main operating bases.
After completing the Environmental Impact Statement process as required by the National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory processes, in 2021, the Air Force named Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota as the first B-21 main operating base and location of the Formal Training Unit.
The Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California will host the B-21 Combined Test Force and the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma is the site for depot planning.
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.
antijam
CCCUK Member
Let's hope it fares better than the original B21......
The North American XB21 bomber first flew in 1936 and a production batch was ordered, but at twice the price of alternative contemporary bombers it was considered too expensive and this was cancelled, although the USAAC did buy the prototype at a price equating to $12,000,000 in today's money!
The new B21 is also expensive....
....but at least the performance is better.
The North American XB21 bomber first flew in 1936 and a production batch was ordered, but at twice the price of alternative contemporary bombers it was considered too expensive and this was cancelled, although the USAAC did buy the prototype at a price equating to $12,000,000 in today's money!
The new B21 is also expensive....
....but at least the performance is better.