The B-21, what could it cost 700 million dollars per unit and is the first American bomber in decades, it will gradually replace the B-1 and B-2, whose first flights date from the Cold War.
“The B-21 will be the backbone of our future bomber force. It will have the range, access and explosive charge to enter the most conflictive areas,” the US Air Force spokeswoman told AFP. Ann Stefanek.
The first flight of a B-21 is scheduled for next year and the Air Force hopes to buy at least 100 of the aircraft, Stefanek said.
The manufacturer Northrop Grumman said six of the planes are currently undergoing assembly and testing at its facility in Palmdale, California, where the unveiling will take place.
Many specifics of the device were not revealed but it should offer significant advances against the bombers of the current US fleet.
Among the new capabilities, the B-21 has the potential for unmanned flight. It is “provided for that possibility, but it has not been decided to fly without a crew,” Stefanek said.
The aircraft is “open architecture” which means it can be upgraded more quickly and easily.
The B-21 is “designed to evolve”said Amy Nelson of the Brookings Institution think tank.
“The ‘open architecture’ allows for the future addition of better software (including for autonomy) so that the aircraft does not become obsolete quickly,” he said.
“The B-21 is more sophisticated than its predecessors. It is truly modern. Not only is it dual-capable (unlike the B-2), which means it can launch nuclear or conventional weapons missiles, but it can also fire short-range and long-range missiles,” Nelson added.
like fighter jets F-22 and F-35, the B-21 it will feature stealth technology, making it difficult for adversaries to detect it.
Stealth technology has been around for decades, but Northrop said the B-21 will feature the latest generation.
