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Second B-21 Raider bomber completes first flight test for Air Force
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A second B-21 RAIDER BOMBER flew in California for the primary time, the Air Drive introduced on Thursday, a milestone officers say that it’ll speed up the take a look at of America in additional than three a long time.
“With the arrival of the second B-21 RAIDER, our flight take a look at marketing campaign will get a substantial momentum,” mentioned Air Drive Secretary Troy Meink in a press release. He added that the service can now begin integrating weapons and mission programs within the bomber. Till now, the flight exams was primarily restricted to efficiency controls.
The B-21, constructed by Northrop Grumman, is the world’s first sixth era planes and may put on each nuclear and standard weapons. The Stealth Design is meant to penetrate and function deep into enemy areas towards an increasing number of superior air defenses launched by China, Russia and different opponents.
The brand new bomber follows within the origin of the B-52 stratophortress of the Chilly Battle, the Supersonic B-1 Lancer and the Radar-Filling B-2 spirit.
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A second B-21 Raider Bomber flew in California for the primary time. (Air Drive)
In distinction to the B-2, which value round $ 2 billion per airplane and was finally restricted to a fleet of 21, the B-21 was designed with a lower cost tag of roughly $ 800 million per airplane and with an open system structure to make simpler technological upgrades attainable.
The B-2, nonetheless employed, not too long ago fought fight missions throughout American strikes at Iranian nuclear areas in June.
Air Drive leaders have mentioned that the providers are planning to purchase a minimum of 100 B-21s, which is able to work along with a fleet of 76 modernized B-52 stratofortress plane to properly into the long run. Collectively the 2 plane kind the spine of the American bomber and provide each lengthy -term strike and nuclear deterration capacities as a part of the American nuclear triad.
This system is intently seen in Washington after earlier plane applications, such because the F-35 Fighter Jet and KC-46 tanker, included appreciable delays and value overruns.
“With the arrival of the second B-21 RAIDER, our flight take a look at marketing campaign will get a substantial momentum,” mentioned Air Drive Secretary Troy Meink in a press release. (Air Drive)
Civil servants have categorized probably the most particulars in regards to the B-210, together with the schedule for reaching the preliminary operational capability, though the Air Drive has mentioned that the bomber anticipated to enter service within the early 2030s.
Air Drive Chief of Employees Gen. David Allvin mentioned that the addition of a second take a look at plane is a optimistic step in direction of that purpose.
“The addition of a second B-21 to the flight take a look at program hastens the highway to the sphere,” mentioned Allvin. “By having extra property within the take a look at setting, we deliver this chance to our warfighters sooner, which demonstrates the urgency with which we sort out modernization.”
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The B-21, constructed by Northrop Grumman, is the world’s first sixth era planes. (Air Drive)
The B-21 program, which began in the beginning of the years 2010 underneath what was then often called the Lengthy Vary Bomber Initiative, has been described by Pentagon leaders as important for sustaining the American navy profit.
Civil servants have mentioned that the attain and stealth of the plane commanders will give extra choices within the Indo-Pacific, the place lengthy distances and rising Chinese language rocket threats problem conventional ahead bases.
A B-21 not too long ago took flight close to Edwards Air Drive Base, the Air Drive mentioned on Thursday. (Air Drive)
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Northrop Grumman leads this system with a community of suppliers all through the nation, to help hundreds of jobs. The corporate publicly unveiled the plane in December 2022 in its manufacturing facility in Palmdale, California, though most of its capacities stay strongly categorized. Solely a handful of photos have been launched, with a decent flying wing design that’s paying homage to the B-2 however constructed with up to date supplies and engineering.
As a result of testing is now increasing, the Pentagon hopes to forestall delays and to ship the bomber on time and with price range. Officers emphasize that the B-21 will provide the USA a essential lead in each standard strike missions and nuclear deterrence.