Recently, leaders of the US Air Force introduced the latest developments of the B-21 “Raider” bomber. The Air Force stated that no one on Earth can do what we are doing now.
The B-21 is a future aircraft expected to become the next generation of US stealth nuclear bombers. At the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space, and Cyber Conference, US Air Force leaders and industry partners provided the latest information on the future bomber B-21.
In a press release on September 18, the Air Force announced that the B-21 would gradually replace the B-1 “Lancer” and B-2 “Spirit” bombers, becoming a cornerstone of the Air Force’s flexible global strike capability. The B-21 is a long-range, highly survivable stealth bomber capable of providing various conventional attacks. It can also carry nuclear weapons, serving as the “airborne pillar” of the triad of nuclear forces, crucial for deterring conflicts worldwide.
General Thomas Bussiere, Commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), stated that stealth bombers will help the US keep pace with global threats. He discussed the necessity of the bomber fleet in the face of current strategic threats from adversaries and the capabilities that the B-21 will provide to address these threats.
“We are the only bomber fleet in the free world… No one on Earth can do what we are doing now,” said Bussiere.
He further emphasized that in the coming years, the demand for support provided by stealth bombers may increase.
“As we transition from traditional to new, the B-21 fleet will provide great comfort to our allies and bring significant resistance to any potential adversary,” Bussiere added.
He continued, “No one can build a sophisticated, technologically advanced platform like the B-21, and frankly, no one on Earth can take such risks. We can take risks at the time and place of our choosing.”
A photo shared by the Air Force showed a scene of a B-21 bomber flight test and related videos. The US Air Force stated that the B-21 “Raider” aircraft underwent flight tests in California, including ground tests, taxiing, and flight operations. The B-21 bomber will provide survivability and long-range penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and strategic attacks against the US, allies, and partners.
Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Division President Thomas Jones mentioned that the B-21 stealth bomber is still in the testing phase.
“We have indeed stepped up the pace and conducted two test flights within a week. As we embark on this process, we pledge to design this system for everyday flight,” Jones said.
“It has been a year of remarkable progress, and we hope to continue this advancement next year,” he added.
Air Force officials stated that the latest test confirmed the structural design and integrity of the B-21 stealth bomber, with the aircraft currently undergoing fatigue testing.
Once the aircraft completes testing, some aircraft will be delivered to Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to assist in training Air Force squadrons to use stealth bombers. When the B-21 is operational, this base will become the primary operating base for the B-21.
Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri will be the second base, and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas will be the third base. The production goal for the B-21 program is to manufacture at least 100 aircraft.