Northrop Grumman B-21
| B-21 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| U.S. Air Force Artist Rendering | |
| Role | Strategic bomber |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
| Status | In development |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Unit cost |
US$550 million (2010)
|
The Northrop Grumman B-21 is a bomber aircraft under development by Northrop Grumman. As part of the Long Range Strike Bomber program (LRS-B), it is to be a long-range strategic bomber for the United States Air Force,[1] intended to be a heavy-payload stealth aircraft capable of carrying thermonuclear weapons.[2] A request for proposal to develop the aircraft was issued in July 2014. The Air Force plans to purchase 80–100 LRS-B aircraft at a cost of $550 million each (2010 dollars).[3] A development contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman in October 2015. A media report states that the bomber could also be used as an intelligence gatherer, battle manager, and interceptor aircraft.[4]
At the 2016 Air Warfare Symposium, the LRS-B was formally designated B-21 signifying the aircraft as the 21st century's first bomber.[5] Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James stated that the B-21 is a fifth-generation global precision attack platform that will give the US networked sensor-shoot capability, thus holding targets at risk.[6] The head of the US Air Force Global Strike Command expects that 100 B-21 bombers is the minimum ordered and envisions some 175-200 bombers in service.[7] Initial operating capability is expected to be reached in the mid-2020s.[5]
In March 2016, the USAF announced several tier-one suppliers for the program, including Pratt & Whitney, Spirit AeroSystems, and BAE Systems.[8][relevant? ]
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program manager Chris Bogdan has said that the commonality of the B-21's engines should reduce the cost of the Pratt & Whitney F135.[9] The B-21 will be designed from the start with an open systems architecture.[10]
In April 2016, it was reported that the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) expected the required number to increase to a minimum of 100 B-21s.[11]
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
References
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