The Air Force released new images of its new stealth nuclear bomber, the B-21 Raider, showing the aircraft at a never-before-seen angle.
Images of the aircraft, which is being developed by Northrop Grumman, were posted to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website last week, showing the new bomber from the front and from a quarter angle.
The new stealth bomber is being launched to replace the current B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit and the aircraft is expected to enter service by 2027.
By 2040, the B-21 is expected to completely replace older bombers.
“The B-21 Raider will be the backbone of the bomber fleet and will gradually replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers as sufficient numbers of B-21s become available,” reads a description of the aircraft on the DVIDS website. “The most advanced bombers will provide a survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capability to deter aggression and protect the United States, its allies and partners.”
Until two recent photos of the B-21 were released last week, images of the new aircraft had been a closely guarded secret.
A new stealth bomber is being launched to replace the current B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit. US Air Force
A previously released image of the B-21 during its unveiling in December showed the plane straight from the front of the cockpit, slightly elevated above the plane.
A new image shows the front of the B-21 from the front at ground level, revealing for the first time the scale of the aircraft.
Another image showcases the aircraft at a quarter angle, revealing never-before-seen design elements.
The bombers cost about $700 million each to produce.US Air Force
According to Pentagon estimates last year, the B-21 Raider will cost nearly $700 million per aircraft.
The first test flight of the new bomber is expected to take place later this year.
“It’s a testament to America’s enduring edge in ingenuity and innovation and it’s a testament to the department’s long-term commitment to building advanced capabilities that will strengthen America’s ability to deter aggression, today and into the future,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said of the aircraft. after it was revealed in December.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
