Page 32 - ADT NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2022 Online Magazine

READY TO RAID

© U.S. Air Force
THE USAF’S NEW B-21

RAIDER WILL BECOME THE

BACKBONE OF ITS BOMBER FLEET

 ATUL CHANDRA

The pubic unveil of the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) and delivers technology that advances science, looks into the future
newest stealth bomber, the B-21 ‘Raider’ at and brings it to the here and now,” said Kathy Warden, chair, chief
Palmdale, California on 2 December, was a executive officer and president, Northrop Grumman. “The B-21 Raider
testament to American leadership in military defines a new era in technology and strengthens America’s role of
aviation. The formal unveiling ceremony was delivering peace through deterrence.”
hosted by the B-21’s manufacturer Northrop
Grumman Corporation at its production facili- The stealth aircraft specifically designed to be the multifunctional
ties in California. The B-21 is the first new USAF backbone of the modernized bomber fleet. The B-21 isn’t expected
bomber to be introduced since the end of the to be operational and introduced into service for several more years.
Cold War. Air Force officials envision an ultimate The new stealth aircraft will gradually replace aging B-1 Lancer and
fleet of at least 100 aircraft with an average B-2 Spirit bombers now in service.
procurement unit cost requirement of $692 mil-
lion (base year 2022 dollars). The B-21, Austin said, “is deterrence the American way. … This isn’t just
another airplane. It’s not just another acquisition. … It’s the embod-
“The B-21 Raider is the first strategic bomber in iment of America’s determination to defend the republic that we all
more than three decades,” Secretary of Defence love. It’s a testament to our strategy of deterrence—with the capa-
Lloyd J. Austin said during the ceremony. “It is bilities to back it up, every time and everywhere.”
a testament to America’s enduring advantages
in ingenuity and innovation. And it’s proof of
the Department’s long-term commitment to The new long-range, highly survivable stealth bomber will be capa-
building advanced capabilities that will fortify ble of delivering a mix of conventional and nuclear munitions. The
America’s ability to deter aggression, today and aircraft will play a major role supporting national security objectives
into the future.” and assuring U.S. allies and partners across the globe.

The emergence of the B-21 which is a new, The B-21 Raider has been named in honour of the Doolittle Raids of
long-range strike bomber and the world’s first World War II. Lt. Col. James “Jimmy” Doolittle had led 80 men and 16
6 generation military aircraft will dramatically B-25 Mitchell medium bombers set off on a mission that changed the
th
enhance the USAF’s long-range strike capa- course of World War II. The designation B-21 recognizes the Raider
bility. “The Northrop Grumman team develops as the first bomber of the 21st century.
32 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2022 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/ADT