US Air Force unveils new B-21 Raider stealth bomber today. Here's what we know

Cover.Metalnation.org December 3, 2022 By Ramya Learn more

How can I watch B-21 unveiling?

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[{"selector":"#anim-3ee90b0c-7eec-4ee7-b4e1-bc02d89bf459 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Cover.Metalnation.org How much does the B-21 cost? The B-21, which the Air Force hopes will cost just $750 million a plane , could suffer the same fate. That would be a catastrophic outcome for U.S. strategy in the western Pacific. The Pentagon needs the Raider, and the Raider program, to work. Follow me on Twitter.

[{"selector":"#anim-594458cf-e513-4048-8a23-cacfb8c52b68 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.49902332523679%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Cover.Metalnation.org Has the B-21 flown yet? The Raider will not make its first flight until 2023 . However, using advanced computing, Warden said, Northrop Grumman has been testing the Raider's performance using a digital twin, a virtual replica of the one being unveiled.

[{"selector":"#anim-8f87e85c-1d3a-44dd-8dc1-11f104e49078 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-54.04613938244168%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Cover.Metalnation.org Who makes the B-21 Raider? The Air Force on Friday unveiled its newest stealth bomber aircraft, the B-21 Raider, in Palmdale, California. Built by Northrop Grumman , the bomber was named in honor of the “courageous spirit” of airmen who carried out the surprise World War II Doolittle Raid.

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[{"selector":"#anim-42a860ef-038c-4224-96f0-14bcc4ac2a1e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Cover.Metalnation.org Is the B-21 better than the b2? The new B-21 Raider bears a family resemblance to the B-2 Spirit, but the two bombers will differ substantially in size, and likely their number of engines and payload. Critically, the B-21 will also be far more advanced in terms of low-observable technology —at least two generations beyond its elder stablemate.