The US Department of Defense The new B-21 Raider stealth bomber has been unveiled after years of quiet development. as one of the United States’ efforts to respond to potential security crises arising from disputes with China in the future
The B-21 Raider is America’s newest bomber for more than 30 years, and almost every aspect of its development program has been kept secret.
“This is not just another plane… It is the embodiment of America’s determination to defend the country we love.” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a launch ceremony held at Plant 42 of the US Air Force. in Palmdale California Friday (Dec. 2)
The B-21 development program is also part of the Pentagon’s plan to upgrade the capabilities of the nuclear triad, including intercontinental ballistic missiles. ground-fired intercontinental ballistic missiles, or strategic bomber ICBMs that are air strikes and submarine-launched missiles. submarine-launched ballistic missiles, or SLBMs, after the United States began to divert from decades-old anti-terrorist missions to deal with “China”, which has accelerated the rapid modernization of its military.
The Pentagon said in its annual report on Tuesday that China will have as many as 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035, and China’s progress in hypersonic weapons. cyber warfare and the potential of space “This is a challenge that has a significant and systemic impact on the security of the United States. as well as an open and free international system.”
Kathy Warden, chief executive officer (CEO) of Northrop Grumman, which has a concession to develop the B-21, said that although its appearance may not be different from the B-2 bomber, the internal systems are completely different
“The aircraft’s internal operating system is very advanced compared to the B-2 as the technology has changed a lot in terms of processing capability. which we also include in the B-21 software system.” said Warden.
The key difference also includes the material used in the fuselage, which will give the B-21 better radar maneuverability. It also has a new electronic emission control system that will allow the aircraft to become stealthy and allow enemy radars to detect it as another object. It also uses new drive technologies.
There are currently six B-21s in production, but the US Air Force plans to produce up to 100 of these aircraft, which will be able to carry traditional missiles and nuclear weapons. And it can also do “unmanned” flight.
The production cost of this aircraft has not been clearly disclosed. by the United States Air Force It was used to set an initial appraisal price of US$ 550 million on average in 2010, which, when calculated in current money, would be about US$ 753 million (about 26,100 million baht).
Source: AP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra5UmDj3JdU
