The US military has unveiled its new stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider. Also present was Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
A.D
the essentials in a nutshell
- The US military has unveiled a new fighter aircraft that has been under development for years.
- The B-21 Raider stealth bomber was unveiled in Palmdale on Friday.
The new B-21 Raider stealth bomber was unveiled at the heavily guarded military development facility in Palmdale, north of Los Angeles. The bomber was manufactured by the US manufacturer Northrop Grumman. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was also present at the presentation.
Bathed in blue light and accompanied by film music and applause, the bomber was pulled from a hangar. This is how a Washington Post reporter described the trial, in which media representatives were allowed to participate under strict conditions. With its squat, flowing shape from cockpit to wings, the B-21 is reminiscent of a cinematic depiction of a UFO. Or on bat wings straight from the “Batman” fleet.
The B-21 is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear munitions and deliver them with impressive accuracy. Defense Secretary Austin said in a speech.
50 years of low-visibility flying object technology has gone into jet stealth. “Even the most sophisticated air defense systems will have a hard time spotting the B-21 in the sky.” Furthermore, the bomber was developed in such a way that it could be well maintained and remain in service for a long time, says Austin.
Stealth bomber currently still undergoing ground testing
According to the Washington Post, the futuristic bomber is currently undergoing ground tests. A first test flight is planned for next year. The US Air Force then planned with at least 100 copies, he said.
This puts the estimated cost of the program at at least $80 billion. According to the US Air Force, the expected price has risen repeatedly in recent years.
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