The US Air Force has released the first images of the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber during flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
The B-21 Raider began its flight testing last autumn.
The #B21 Raider continues to conduct flight tests at Edwards with the B-21 Combined Test Force, including ground testing, taxiing, and flying operations. The Raider continues to make progress toward becoming the backbone of the #USAF bomber fleet. #AFMC @usairforce pic.twitter.com/u03HsnTKwd
— Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) May 22, 2024
Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the US Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, reported that the testing is proceeding as planned. “We are in the flight test programme, the flight test programme is proceeding well,” Hunter stated.
“It is helping us learn about the unique characteristics of this platform in a very effective way.”
Hunter also highlighted that the B-21 is the first aircraft to extensively integrate digital technology, as discussed during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Designed with an open systems architecture, the B-21 Raider allows for the rapid incorporation of new technologies, ensuring the aircraft remains effective as threats evolve. Northrop Grumman, the manufacturer, has developed the B-21 with next-generation stealth technology, enabling it to deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads.
The B-21 is intended to replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers, supporting US national security objectives and assuring allies and partners worldwide.
The B-21 is expected to enter service in the mid-2020s, with a production goal of at least 100 aircraft. Northrop Grumman emphasises the B-21’s capability to employ a mix of stand-off and direct attack munitions, enhancing its effectiveness.
looks like an alien spececraft
Looks like a B2
people living in Roswell will think that the aliens are back again
While I am loath to buy any further US weapon systems given Trumps re ascendancy to the throne I could see a purchase of a small B21 fleet being very worthwhile for the UK. Being the only other operator in the world of a stealthy strategic bomber would really separate the UK from other middle powers and it would allow us to offer a substantial conventional threat to the Russians if they start lobbing cruise missiles from submarines at us one day. There has to be some benefit to being America’s third most important ally, unlike Israel we woukd actually… Read more »
that’s what i thought as well, around 30? 2 x squadron’s of 12 and 6 spares.
Tempest for fighter/interceptor role.
F35b for carrier use (assuming cats and traps don’t get installed)
Good luck at an current estimated $750million a pop.
Would be cheaper for UK to develop its own semi stealth bomber. Take old Vulcan design, remove vertical tail, use flight controls and software from tempest program, use 4 modified EJ200 engines from Typhoon neatly buried in wing root have bomb bay size of Victor and voila you have a UK semi stealth bomber for have the price of the B21 😳😃😎
The Vulcan is not semi-stealthy
Vulcan 2, simples, love it l! 😂
In the unlikely event money could be found, an RAF purchase of B-21 would be like C-17 i.e. a single sqn of 8.
On that point… does the UK have bomber aircraft anymore?
We phased out strategic bombers in the 1980s – the last Vulcans went in late 1982, I believe. Typhoons and F-35Bs can of course carry bombs – tactical bombing.
I’d read that Tempest is going to be a big girl. Not Vulcan sized sure, but big for a fighter.
Thanks. I had not been following the Tempest story – think I will now. A mock-up was exhibited at DSEi in 2019 but of course the real thing may well be much different.
It looks like it will be quite big – like the B21 should be able to deliver Ordanance at range using Stealth.
Yes, I’d read of it needing good range and size for ordnance and for controlling UAV.
Like a light bomber.
We shall see.
Pure fantasy fleets Jim.
Yes, but I can dream 😀
Sure, would make sense for a nation of our stature.
Not sure where you’d bade them as the cost of the specialised infrastructure alone would be prohibitive.
I always supported getting a small Sqn of F117s. At least that did have some basis in reality.
If strategic bombers make sense for our country, why phase them out in 1982 and not replace the V-Force?
Hi mate. Not getting notifications for many posts, so sorry for a late reply. I think in the 80s through the rest of the Cold War we were so Europe NATO, Warsaw Pact focused, so having a bomber for expeditionary, long range, further afield roles was seen as unnecessary. And they were old, legacy aircraft, Victor also served on for a while as AAR aircraft. Deterrent went to the RN. Tornado GR1 was delivered in bulk for Strike, Interdiction into Eastern Europe. Even the RNs “proper” carriers went to be replaced by the small Invincibles for Atlantic ASW work. Post… Read more »
Hi mate. The nuclear deterrent had switched from the V-force to the RN from mid-’68, but the V-bombers soldiered on for quite a time, probably because they could drop conventional bombs on Soviet targets, which Polaris could not do. Clearly it was felt in the late 70s/early 80s that it was necessary to retire the last of the V-force in 1982 (after Op Corporate/Black Buck) and not replace it by another long-range (ie Target Moscow!, not Eastern Europe) strategic bomber with conventional bombs, even though the Cold War was still in progress. I agree with your point that F-117 would… Read more »
Jim, how many should the UK buy? Then cost it out – it will be totally unaffordable.
7 a good number, about $4-5 billion. That’s about 8% of one years defence budget.
Usually an RAF squadron is 12 aircraft, then you need some for the OCU and some for the attrition reserve. That would make 18-20.
The cost of buying a running a squadron of these would result in loosing say three squadrons of fighters that are far more use.
bombers are one trick pony’s that our limited budget will no longer stretch too
How about scrapping the F35 orders and buying one of these?
Just one! 😆 We’d still be constrained by the interoperability issues of a US supplier and US military, effectively dictating which weapons fit comes first.
Just the one. Should be avaiable by 2040 in line with our new target dates. 😉
🤣
Not enough pilots
😀
The RAF should buy 10 of these for strategic nuclear deterrent and long range strike. It would make strikes in Yemen a walk in the park – non stop from the UK, lessening the need to use a carrier.
The US has already offered them to Australia.
Agreed, this would be of a major benefit to the UK, although considering maintenance requirements you might need 12-14. But, and its a big BUT, as we’re always skint, could we afford it?
It uses the same engine as the F-35, so there would be some existing support footprint.
All the tankers would need to be upgraded with the airbus Boom system. That’s going to be expensive, but it would also benefit the C17, P-8 and E-7 fleets.
Some (at least) of the tankers should be upgraded anyway.
I thought we are all wanting some extra P-8 and E-7s first? Lol 😂
For long range strategic strike it is the only realistic option, that may soon be on the table. There are no other strategic bombers being manufactured or designed by a Western nation. Although there is also the Rapid Dragon concept. Where you use a transport aircraft to deliver weapons from the tail ramp. However, that is only feasible when you have spare transport aircraft available and not on traditional logistics taskings. If we were reliant on the A400M, we would be up the creek without a paddle, as the aircraft are so unreliable. There is a caveat here though. Do… Read more »
You aren’t launching and building a strategic bomber program for less cost than buying 10 B-21. There is a massive misunderstanding on this website as to the costs of launching and delivering an airplane program.
It also must be stealthy. At strategic stand off ranges there is no ability to suppress enemy air defenses., something like an A400 would be dead instantly.
Would an A400M Atlas fly into well-defended enemy airspace?
What BWB aircraft or project are you referring to? As you say it would be cheaper than a B-21 one presumes you have something specific in mind to compare to it.
New Build Vulcans with Typhoon avionics and un-reheated EJ200s?
No. Equal to 3x T31s each at original price point. Carry on with the fantasy fleet planning.
👍 Agreed, although would recommend the purchase of a full squadron by the RAF. Sale wold be authorized under the auspices of AUKUS. RAF would presumably execute an aerial refueling agreement w/ USAF on an interim basis until own tankers modified. Win-win proposition, though there is that trivial matter of the bill…🤔😳😉
We don’t need them(however AUS/JPN/CAN??), a far better option for us would have been something like a cross between a F111 Aardvark and HS Buccaneer with a larger bomb bay – would go like shit of a shovel at tree top height, whats not to like!!
New build Buccaneers with Typhoon avionics and EJ200s…
Yes, that would do it also.
Why B21?
Why RAF don’t instead setup A400 and C17 with long range missile launchers? Say launch ATACMS from the air will probably triple the range.
You can’t fly a C-17 or A400 within 1,000 miles of Moscow and expect to live. The B-21 is was the US calls a “1st night” aircraft, similar to the B-2 and F-117. It’s key role is to suppress enemy air defenses to let in the more vulnerable assets.
Why? Slow drones don’t seem to have any problems😂
Build missiles with 1001 miles range. You spend less money and will have many more weapons capable of hitting the enemy, you can update/upgrade/develop your missiles much faster than a B-21.
And if you need more aircrafts just buy some Airbus.
Right, and I assume you will be the first to volunteer on these one way suicide missions.
The US has not offered the B-21 to Australia. A former Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee is pushing the idea but he’s in the minority and it’s unlikely the House or Senate would approve the idea.
Besides, Australia can’t afford them, and neither can the UK.
Which in Australia’s case is an absolute crying shame matey. What they don’t need is the F35 in any configuration, but have had to purchase.
A mix od B21/F15ex would have been a far better mix for them, notwithstanding costs, timings and the ability to purchase them.
The US should also look towards selling some to both Japan and Canada if it is really serious about stunting China’s expansionism.
Trudeau would turn them into housing for immigrants.
Looks a tad cramped to me, very modern but cramped!😂
😁
😁
The US is already handing the keys to the technological kingdom to the Brits and Aussies, through joint cooperation on SSN-A design and various Pillar 2 Initiatives. Really don’t perceive an issue from a tech transfer perspective. Acquisition cost by either is the real show stopper.
$778 million a pop
That is just for the aircraft. Then add in the training, simulators, spares, special tools, fuel, modifying infrastructure, recruiting more pilots and aircrew….
Wow! Just Wow!
The moderation on this site is super efficient. Just received 2 emails notifying me that 2 of my posts had been approved. One post contained a smiley face emoji and the other a link to the Wall Street Journal about Chinese vs American shipbuilding.
The former was posted by me 18 days ago and the latter 29 days ago. If the mods were shipbuilders, I’d guess that they were American and not Chinese. I’d put a smiley face here but it would take 4 weeks to approve.
😀
Glad you’re impressed. I recieved an email yesterday telling me a post I submitted a month ago had just been approved.
Guess we both must be racists or some other kind of bigot, who require the extra vetting. Probably by the FBI. Haha!
Now if only we had a stealthy autonomous aircraft, like say Taranis, that we could upscale. Imagine if we were trialling autonomous and remotely controlled large aircraft, like say, testing the technology on Banshee and Banshee swarms in the Outer Hebrides. Imagine if we had the world’s greatest engine manufacturer, like say, something like Rolls Royce in the U.K. Imagine we were developing and testing a guidance system that was impervious to jamming or spoofing, like the one we are currently testing the technology with, on the RJ100 at Boscombe. Imagine if we could create a large stealthy autonomous aircraft… Read more »
B1-lancer getting replace ,has B21 coming on line 🤔 nice if the RAF could have a SQN.🇬🇧
On a strategic level these are “the biz”. Taking out a certain dam in China? Ideal kit. Reading the comments made me smile and remember that lovely story of a Vulcan “bombing” the continental USA in the sixties. Also Black Buck springs to mind. “Where there’s a will”.
Joining in the retro-future of big bombers in this post the obvious way forward is a 4 engined Mosquito using electric engines – already available and in commercial service as I speak. Drone batteries orbiting in the stratosphere would provide recharging on the way home. The wooden construction with radio absorbing paint would give a tiny radar signature. Mind you, prodding a three-pin-plug into the socket in turbulence might prove tricky. If we used Barnes Wallis’ bouncing bombs we could release them just past Denmark and they would bounce right into Russia. On the other hand we might need to… Read more »
As usual armchair, never served in the forces dreamers wishing for a star.
Not only stealthy but has a terrifying beauty.