US Air Force releases new image of the B-21 Raider nuclear bomber
The US Air Force has released a new digital rendering of its B-21 Raider heavy strategic nuclear bomber, along with more information about the warplane. It's being built by Northrop Grumman as part of the Air Force's Long-Range Strike Bomber program to modernize one leg of the US nuclear deterrence triad, which consists of bombers, land-based missiles, and submarine-based missiles.
The latest rendering not only features an updated version of the delta-winged stealth bomber, but also has Edwards Air Force Base, California in the background, where the 420th Flight Test Squadron is tasked with planning, testing, analysis, and reporting on the flight and ground testing of the B-21.
The B-21 has passed its critical design review and is currently in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase. This phase deals not only with the aircraft proper, but also with the related manufacturing infrastructure and the industrial supply chain.
Scheduled to enter service by 2027, the B-21 Raider is designed to operate alongside the B-52 Stratofortress, the B-1 Lancer, and the B-2 Spirit bombers. As the B-21 fleet grows to its anticipated size of over 100 airframes, it will replace the B-1 and the B-2, and also the B-52 if the advanced life extension program is not undertaken.
