New US B-21 Raider bomber

Soldier355

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The US Air Force has unveiled the new B-21 Raider bomber. The manufacturer positions the bomber as the world's only sixth-generation aircraft. According to Northrop Grumman, the aircraft is capable of reaching anywhere in the world, carrying nuclear and conventional weapons, and overcoming the most advanced air defense systems thanks to improved stealth technology. Since the introduction of the B-2 Spirit aircraft, the B-21 Raider has become the first new US Air Force bomber in 34 years. It is reported that using cloud technologies, you can create a "digital twin" of the aircraft, which will help track the performance of combat missions. The B-21 Raider bomber has evolved from the B-2 bomber and should incorporate all the best. As previously reported, the B-21 should become cheaper in terms of purchase and operation costs than its predecessor, the B-2. This should be achieved by reducing the size of the new bomber and its carrying capacity, as well as partial unification with other US Air Force aircraft. The B-21 has been given a more durable surface material for stealth, requiring less maintenance effort and minimizing operating costs and downtime. The price of the aircraft is $750 million. The first flight of the B-21 Raider bomber should take place in 2023. Detailed specifications of the B-21 are classified.


 

Dark Sorrow

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Any extra capabilities WRT B2? Other than the size of course.
More efficient, half the payload.
More stealthy, latest sensors.
Seamless body, absolutely smooth.

It remains to be see how the exhausts look.
Biggest improvement is reduction in upkeep cost, higher availability, ability to operate without specialized hangers.
Upgraded measures to defeat modern radars and EO/IR sensors.
 

DumbPilot

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B2 cockpit is fairly modern.
View attachment 184861

Due to their limited numbers modernizing B2 was never the issue.
Their biggest drawback was upkeep cost and need of specialized facilities.
No, I meant more of integration of newer technologies in the core of the B-21. They probably have integrated new technology that warrant a title of "6th generation", aside from the points of logistics/maintenance you made
 

Bhartiya Sainik

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So the B-21 Raider is being speculated or perhaps confirmed to be 6th gen category aircraft, isn't it? It is being referred to as "Digital Bomber" capable of defeating latest air defences around the world currently. So i guess not only it will have strong ESM, ECM, SPJ, decoy but also retractable DIRCM & DEW perhaps to defeat IR missiles.

1670190403557.png


DEW pods have been tested on AH-64 Apache, small business-jet testbed & also shown in animation for 4th gen jets.

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A stealthy DEW turret was also conceptually speculated for future 5.5 gen upgraded F-35.

1670190550781.png


So the B-21 may have similar system for self-defence like seen below in artist image for NGAD & F/A-XX.

1670190630122.png
 

skunk works

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Unit price: USD 550 million as quoted by OEM
Order size: 100
No noise about exports yet. One might say no other country needs a strategic bomber, but the B-21 also has a strong reconnaissance capability.
Imagine a super-stealthy RB-21 that can orbit over the battlefield in presence of enemy AD and provide real-time C4ISR.
The role is fulfilled currently by the U2/TR-1.
 

Blademaster

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US will not export the B-21 bombers. It’s too much of a strategic weapon to be allowed in other countries’ hands. US never sold a bomber to other countries since WW2. Australian FB-111s wasn’t a true bomber but a fighter with limited bombing capabilities.
 

Super falcon

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Since air defence systems are now very capable such as indian and Russian S 400 and S 500 which have capabilities to destroy such stealth technology aircraft is that a good investment from USA keep relying on stealth where low orbital satellite are now can monitor their exact moment and locations

 

aliwillson

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The US Air Force has unveiled the new B-21 Raider bomber. The manufacturer positions the bomber as the world's only sixth-generation aircraft. According to Northrop Grumman, the aircraft is capable of reaching anywhere in the world, carrying nuclear and conventional weapons, and overcoming the most advanced air defense systems thanks to improved stealth technology. Since the introduction of the B-2 Spirit aircraft, the B-21 Raider has become the first new US Air Force bomber in 34 years. It is reported that using cloud technologies, you can create a "digital twin" of the aircraft, which will help track the performance of combat missions. The B-21 Raider bomber has evolved from the B-2 bomber and should incorporate all the best. As previously reported, the B-21 should become cheaper in terms of purchase and operation costs than its predecessor, the B-2. This should be achieved by reducing the size of the new bomber and its carrying capacity, as well as partial unification with other US Air Force aircraft. The B-21 has been given a more durable surface material for stealth, requiring less maintenance effort and minimizing operating costs and downtime. The price of the aircraft is $750 million. The first flight of the B-21 Raider bomber should take place in 2023. Detailed specifications of the a small world cup game are classified


You almost can't see the intakes on the wings now. On the B2 they are very prevalent but not on the new one. What a beautiful plane.
 

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