This time the United States publicly unveiled its B-21 bomber , which is the latest generation of stealth bomber developed by the LRS-B (Long-range Strike Bomber) project by the United States Noggo Company. In 2016, the US Air Force officially named it B-21. was originally scheduled to make its first flight in December 2021. Obviously, the project has encountered some troubles. Until today, the first prototype has been unveiled publicly. It is expected that the prototype will be tested in 2023, put into use from 2026 to 2027, and form combat capabilities in 2030.
B21 bomber is the second stealth bomber in the world after the B2 bomber. It has a flying wing shape and no vertical tail. Through stealth design and a large amount of coatings, it effectively reduces the reconnaissance and detection of different ways of radar , infrared, visible light and noise, and achieves low detectability stealth performance. Carry nuclear weapon and long-range out-of-zone cruise missiles to perform and complete the dual tasks of strategic nuclear strike and conventional strike.
According to the Associated Press, the B-21 is an important part of the US Pentagon's modernization of the three nuclear pillars, namely land-based intercontinental missiles, strategic nuclear submarines and B-21, which will jointly become the pillars of the US nuclear arsenal for the next half century.
Norge CEO said that the appearance of the B-21 is similar to that of B-2, but it adopts a new generation of stealth technology, has advanced network capabilities and an open system architecture, making it a sixth-generation fighter with excellent stealth performance. Its engine air intake is set on the back of the fuselage and is low, which is very helpful in improving stealth capabilities. Although the B-21 bomber load capacity is lower than that of the B-2 bomber, its stealth performance is stronger than that of the B-2, and it is defined as the "sixth generation" fighter jet "from stealth to more stealth."
U.S. Aviation Weekly estimates that the maximum takeoff weight of the aircraft is 68~80 tons, the bomb load is 5.5~9.1 tons, and the combat radius without air refueling is 3900~4600 kilometers. These parameters are all lower than B-2. But its excellent stealth performance makes it far stronger than the B-2's combat performance. At present, "even the most advanced air defense system , it is difficult to detect B-21 in the air."
