B-2 vs. B-21: Will Pentagon’s New Big-Budget Bomber Be Another Wedge-Shaped Waste of Money?
The B-21 was unveiled in late 2022 as a response to evolving air defense threats. The US Air Force hopes it will replace the aging B-2 Spirit bombers. The new aircraft’s design includes advances in stealth technology to evade sophisticated enemy radars.
Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider, set to become the backbone of the US Air Force bomber fleet, is currently undergoing flight tests in California. The Air Force plans to commence B-21 operations between 2025 and 2027.
The B-21, named after the WWII-era Doolittle Raiders, differs from the B-2 in size and payload capacity. It promises to be more cost-effective than its predecessor, the B-2, which holds the title of the world’s most expensive aircraft.
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