PALMDALE, California—The U.S. Air Force has at last pulled the veil from its new B-21 stealth bomber, which contractor Northrop Grumman has been bui

Air Force Unveils New B-21 Stealth Bomber After Seven Years in the Making

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2022-12-03 20:00:32

PALMDALE, California—The U.S. Air Force has at last pulled the veil from its new B-21 stealth bomber, which contractor Northrop Grumman has been building behind closed doors for seven years.

In a ceremony at the Air Force’s closely guarded Plant 42 production facility, Northrop rolled out the first B-21 Raider to hundreds of journalists, Northrop employees, and various VIPs. For several hours, defense officials and industry executives gushed over the wing-shaped plane, touting it as the world’s most advanced aircraft and a key new weapon to counter China.

“The B-21 looks imposing, but what’s under the frame and the space-aged coatings is even more impressive,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, one of many senior defense officials, lawmakers, and industry executives who flew to the California desert on this cold Friday evening for the rollout.

Austin said no other long-range bomber can meet the B-21’s efficiency. Its long range will allow it to be based in the United States and fly anywhere in the world.