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| The Air Force's sixth-generation, top-secret stealth bomber was unveiled on December 2, the service's first new bomber in more than 30 years. The B-21 Raider [Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman] |
Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) rolled out Friday dark what it says is the most advanced military aircraft always built, offer a express view of the B-21 Raider it developed for the U.S. Air Force.
The Air Force's sixth-generation, top-secret stealth bomber was unveiled on December 2, the service's first new bomber in more than 30 years. The event, held at Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, California, facility, marked the first public unveiling of the stealth bomber that will serve as the future backbone of US airpower.
Around 8:15 p.m. EST, the hangar doors slid back as the fabric-draped aircraft was slowly drawn forward, bathed in blue light. The cover was removed, and the assembled crowd erupted in applause.
“The next time you lot run into this aircraft, it will be in the air,” said Kathy Warden, chair, CEO, and president of Northrop Grumman.
The stealth bomber—which has been in development for vii years—is digitally designed, enabled, as well as maintained, featuring agile software development, advanced manufacturing techniques together with digital technology tools to assistance mitigate product gamble, according to the manufacturer.
“The Raider is designed to deliver both conventional too nuclear munitions, alongside formidable precision,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. “The B-21’s edge volition concluding for decades to come up.’’
“It’s the embodiment of America’sec conclusion to defend the democracy that nosotros all dear,” he added.
The Air Force has said it intends to buy at to the lowest degree 100 of the aircraft that will price nigh $639 meg each and form the backbone of the service’second bomber force. Six B-21 bombers are currently inwards diverse stages of final assembly in addition to testing at the facility.
“When delivered to the Air Force, the B-21 will bring together the country’second strategic triad equally a visible and flexible deterrent; supporting national security objectives and assuring the nation’sec allies and partners,” Northrop Grumman said.
Unveiled today, 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.(U.S. Air Force photo) pic.twitter.com/X6KSU7sy6U
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) December 3, 2022
“With the B-21, the U.due south. Air Force will live able to deter or defeat threats anywhere inward the earth,” Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, said inward a statement.
The beginning B-21 flight is projected for 2023 together with will be scheduled based upon the outcomes of earth tests, Northrop Grumman said. The stealth bomber is designed to comport out long-reach conventional in addition to nuclear missions and is slated to striking full operational condition in the mid-2020s.
Last yr, the Air Force announced that the B-21 Raider volition live headed to Edwards Air Force Base, California, where the 420th Flight Test Squadron volition design, examination, analyze, together with written report on all earth and flying testing.
