The B-21, which has the same flying wing shape as its B-2 predecessor, can deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons around the world using long-range aerial refueling capabilities.
The United States has begun regular test flights of the sixth-generation B-21 Raider strategic stealth bomber. This was announced by Thomas Jones, head of the Northrop Grumman Corporation’s aviation systems department, NewAtlas reports.
The number of tests is expected to increase from two flights a week to daily, preparing the aircraft for low-volume production.
“We’re really starting to pick up the pace and do two test flights a week,” Jones said at an Association of American Air Forces conference. According to him, daily test flights will be conducted in the near future.
It was previously reported that the strategic bomber is already in the stage of small-scale production.
As part of the B-21 Raider development program, the US Air Force will receive at least 40 of these aircraft in the early 2030s. The development corporation Northrop Grumman has already built at least ten aircraft of this type.
At the beginning of December 2022, the Pentagon officially presented for the first time the new strategic stealth bomber B-21 Raider.
According to the Federation of American Scientists, the B-21 Raider is planned to be capable of carrying eight cruise missiles with long-range nuclear warheads or eight nuclear bombs with a yield of 5 to 400 kilotons. Detailed technical characteristics of the B-21 are classified.
The cost of each B-21 is estimated at $772 million. The US Air Force plans to receive 100 of these bombers.
The aircraft was created according to the “flying wing” design. It is intended to replace the US fleet of B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit strategic bombers.
It was previously reported that the US Air Force’s latest B-21 Raider stealth bomber, which is capable of carrying nuclear weapons, has taken off for the first time.
It will be remembered that the United States introduced the B-21 bomber on December 2, 2022. It is intended to be the new main strategic bomber of the US Air Force and an important element of the country’s nuclear triad.
In March, the Pentagon said six aircraft were currently in production. The Air Force plans to purchase at least 100 aircraft and begin replacing B-1 and B-2 bombers in service with the US military.
The first squadron of the newest bombers will be stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base (South Dakota). Then these aircraft will also be stationed at Whiteman (Missouri) and Dyess (Texas) air bases.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.