Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in front of the hangar that the plane is a testament to the Pentagon’s long-term commitment to building advanced capabilities that “strengthen America’s ability to deter aggression now and in the future.” said. According to him, the stealth aircraft incorporates “50 years of low-observation technological advances” that make it difficult for him to detect the B-21 in the air, even with “the most sophisticated air defense systems.” .
“The B-21 is impressive,” said Austin. “But what’s underneath the frame and the space-age coating is even more impressive.”
Austin added that U.S. defense is rooted in deterrence and that the development of the B-21 once again plays a symbolic role.
“For potential adversaries, we are making it clear again that the risks and costs of an attack far outweigh the possible benefits,” Austin said.
The program is expected to cost at least $80 billion and the Air Force is looking for at least 100 aircraft. It is the first U.S. military aircraft to feature so-called sixth-generation technology, relying on advanced artificial intelligence, computer networking and data fusion to carry out long-range bombing missions that require flying in and out of enemy airspace. help pilots to The Air Force is also investigating whether the B-21 can fly remotely, which is likely years after its first flight.
Much of the program remains classified, even as senior U.S. defense officials and corporate executives celebrate its progress. Media attending the event here in Palmdale had to follow a number of ground rules, including banning cell phones within viewing areas and limiting how visuals filmed their aircraft for journalists.
According to company officials, there are six B-21 prototypes. The first test flight is scheduled for next year.
For now, the Raider is in the “ground testing” stage, where Air Force and Northrop Grumman officials are conducting stress tests, evaluating the application of radar-deflecting paint, and scrutinizing basic functions such as taxiing. said a Northrop Grumman official.
Over 8,000 people are working on aspects of this program, with aircraft parts coming from 40 states.
The Department of Defense plans to replace aging B-2 Spirit and B-1B Lancer bombers with Raiders, and phase out older aircraft by the 2040s. His B-52 bomber from decades ago may also be replaced by his B-21 in the next few years. Friday’s unveiling event included flyovers by all three aging bombers.
Until 2006, the Pentagon believed that existing bombers could survive until 2037.
The U.S. military has long faced costly challenges and delays in developing other major weapons systems, including the newest F-35 fighter, which will likely team with the B-21 in future operations. rice field.
Air Force and company officials said during a panel discussion with reporters on Friday that the program continues to meet service requirements for cost, even though the cost per copy continues to rise. The service said it hoped each plane would cost about $550 million. According to a Congressional Research Service report released last year, prices are expected to rise to $639 million by 2019, and costs will continue to rise.
Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles “CQ” Brown told reporters in Palmdale that the development of the B-21 was a product of collaboration between the Air Force and Northrop Grumman. He earned the nickname Raider of the Airplane from the United States, which launched its long and daring bombing raid on Japan in April 1942, just months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, drew the United States into World War II. Service noted that it was a nod to his member, the Doolittle Raiders. II.
“That innovative spirit is behind us now,” Brown said in the hangar before the unveiling, where the B-21 sat under its cloak.
Northrop Grumman chief executive Kathy Warden said Friday that the company iterated through thousands of versions of the plane before choosing a design. Some of the testing and development is done digitally before the company builds the hardware, keeping costs down.
“In many ways, we take technology from the future and bring it here and now with this aircraft.”
