The B-21 Raider, the new US Air Force stealth bomber, promises to revolutionize air operations not only for its advanced technology, but mainly by the number of aircraft that will go into service. While the current B-2 Spirit, with only 19 units, faces operational limitations due to its reduced fleet, the Pentagon plans to acquire at least 100 B-21s and may reach 145.
Major-General Jason Armagost, the eighth Air Force commander, stressed that Raider’s real advantage will be his ability to form a massive “campaign force”, allowing simultaneous attacks on multiple fronts and greater strategic flexibility.
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In addition to sixth generation stealth, the B-21 will have an extended range without replenishment and advanced electronic war, intelligence and drone control capabilities. Although it carries less mission weaponry than B-2, its large-scale production and lower maintenance cost will ensure a more constant presence in operating theaters.
Operation Midnight Hammer, which mobilized a third of the B-2s fleet in an attack on Iran, has shown the risks of depending on a few aircraft, a problem that B-21 should solve.
With flying and accelerated production tests, Raider should replace the B-2s and B-1s by the end of the decade, starting with Ellsworth air base. Armagost emphasized that in a global conflict scenario or nuclear attack, the US needs a robust and autonomous fleet, capable of operating even without communication networks.
The B-21 is not just a bomber, but part of a long-range attack ecosystem that will include Stealth missiles and future sixth-generation fighters, reinforcing American dissuasion in an increasingly contested world.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: x @usairforce | This content was created with the help of AI and revised by the editorial team
Unveiled today, the B-21 Raider will be a dual-capable, penetrating-strike stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. The B-21 will form the backbone of the future Air Force bomber force consisting of B-21s and B-52s.(U.S. Air Force photo) pic.twitter.com/X6KSU7sy6U
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) December 3, 2022
