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Northrop Grumman unveils B-21 nuclear bomber for US Air Force

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B-21 nuclear bomber unveiled in ceremony in Palmdale, California - Reuters/file
B-21 nuclear bomber unveiled in ceremony in Palmdale, California – Reuters/file
  • B-21 nuclear bomber unveiled in ceremony in Palmdale, California
  • B-21 will be able to deliver conventional and nuclear weapons
  • The Aircraft cost approximately $550 million each

WASHINGTON: Northrop Grumman Corp on Friday rolled out its new B-21 “Raider” jet, the first of a new fleet of long-range stealth nuclear bombers for the United States Air Force.

The B-21 was unveiled during a dramatic ceremony at Northrop’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, offering members of the public the first look at the new bomber.

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The B-21, which carries a similar “flying wing” shape to its predecessor, the B-2, will be able to deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons around the world using long-range and mid-air refueling capabilities.

The aircraft were projected to cost approximately $550 million each in 2010 dollars, or about $750 million in today’s inflation-adjusted dollars.

The US Air Force planned to buy at least 100 of the planes and begin to replace B-1 and B-2 bombers.

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Northrop beat out a team comprised of Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp when it won the 2015 contract to make the bomber. Engine-maker Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Spirit Aerosystems are among the more than 400 suppliers in 40 states.

Northrop is calling the plane a sixth-generation aircraft given its ability to connect to other aircraft and easily integrate future weapons into its systems architecture.

The B-21 also features more durable, stealth-enabling low observable surface material that will require less maintenance and keep operations costs and downtime to a minimum, Doug Young, sector vice president and general manager at Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, told Reuters in an interview.

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The presentation provided the first video and photo images of the new bomber. Previously, only artist renderings have been published.

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Six of the planes, which are to have their first flight in mid-2023, are in various stages of assembly. More than 8,000 people from Northrop Grumman, industry partners and the Air Force currently work on the program.

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