"B-21 RAIDER" WORLD'S FIRST SIXTH GEN FIGHTER BOMBER: US AIR FORCE UNVEILS THE B-21 RAIDER. NORTHROP GRUMMAN.

 NORTHROP GRUMMAN UNVEILS THE LEGENDARY STEALTH B-21 RAIDER

THE COMPANY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.S AIR FORCE UNVEILED THE B-21 STEALTH FIGHTER BOMBER AT IT'S PALMDALE CALIFORNIA FACILITY. THE AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS FOR ABOUT A DECADE AND HAS EXTRAORDINARY CAPABILITIES AS FOR THE TIMES JUST SIMILAR TO IT'S PREDECESSOR, THE B-1.

“The B-21 is the most advanced military aircraft ever built and is a product of pioneering innovation and technological excellence,” said Doug Young, sector vice president and general manager, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems. “The Raider showcases the dedication and skills of the thousands of people working every day to deliver this aircraft.”

The B-21 Raider is the most advanced aircraft ever build! Having most sophisticated anti-radar systems and stealth characteristics that it would make the most advanced radars struggle to identify it's presence. This aircraft comes under Strategic Bomber title in the USAF. After winning the contract in 2015, five years in making and two years in testing and developing manufacturing techniques, finally it's unveiled. There are currently six of them in production as the PENTAGON quoted. While costing around $700M for each aircraft with again added most expensive operating costs. As of now the U.S Air Force has plans to acquire atleast 100 of them expected to enter service by 2025 with estimated costs of $203B. This will replace the current fleet of bombers which is around half century old.

“Northrop Grumman is proud of our partnership with the U.S. Air Force as we deliver the B-21 Raider, a sixth-generation aircraft optimized for operations in highly contested environments,” said Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems.

THE B-21 RAIDER : SPECIFICATIONS

Crew	2
Length	65.62 ft (20 m)
Wingspan	164.04 ft (50 m)
Height	16.40 ft (5 m)
Wing area
Empty weight	154,324 lb (70,000 kg)
Loaded weight
Max take off weight	374,786 lb (170,000 kg)
Power plant	4 x 14,600 lbf (64.9 kN)
Maximum speed (Sea level)
Maximum speed (High altitude)	621 mph (1,000 kph; 540 kts)
Combat radius
Ferry range	6,835 miles (11,000 km; 5,940 nm)
Service ceiling	49,213 feet (15,000 m)
Wing loading
Thrust/weight

MACH REGIME:- TRANSONIC