[1/5] Northrop Grumman unveils the B-21 Raider, a brand new high-tech stealth bomber developed for the U.S. Air Power, throughout an occasion in Palmdale, California, U.S., December 2, 2022. REUTERS/David Swanson
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Northrop Grumman unveils B-21 nuclear bomber for U.S. Air Force
WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (Reuters) – Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) on Friday rolled out its new B-21 “Raider” jet, the primary of a brand new fleet of long-range stealth nuclear bombers for the US Air Power.
The B-21 was unveiled throughout a dramatic ceremony at Northrop’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, providing members of the general public the primary have a look at the brand new bomber.
The B-21, which carries an identical “flying wing” form to its predecessor, the B-2, will have the ability to ship each typical and nuclear weapons world wide utilizing long-range and mid-air refueling capabilities.
The plane had been projected to value roughly $550 million every in 2010 {dollars}, or about $750 million in at the moment’s inflation-adjusted {dollars}.
The Air Power deliberate to purchase at the least 100 of the planes and start to switch B-1 and B-2 bombers.
Northrop beat out a staff comprised of Boeing Co (BA.N) and Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) when it received the 2015 contract to make the bomber. Engine-maker Pratt & Whitney (RTX.N), Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Programs (BAES.L) and Spirit Aerosystems (SPR.N) are among the many greater than 400 suppliers in 40 states.
Northrop is looking the aircraft a sixth technology plane given its skill to hook up with different plane and simply combine future weapons into its methods structure.
The B-21 additionally options extra sturdy, stealth-enabling low observable floor materials that can require much less upkeep and maintain operations prices and downtime to a minimal, Doug Younger, sector vice chairman and normal supervisor at Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Programs, instructed Reuters in an interview.
The presentation offered the primary video and photograph photographs of the brand new bomber. Beforehand, solely artist renderings have been revealed.
Six of the planes, which is to have its first flight in mid-2023, are in varied phases of meeting. Greater than 8,000 individuals from Northrop Grumman, trade companions and the Air Power at the moment work on this system.
Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; further reporting by Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Enhancing by David Gregorio and Lincoln Feast.
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