The US Air Force has released new photos of the next-generation B-21 Raider nuclear bomber

In early December 2022, Northrop Grumman held a presentation of the next-generation B-21 Raider nuclear bomber. Nine months later, the US Air Force published two new photos of the aircraft.

Here's What We Know

The B-21 Raider will be a nuclear weapons carrier. The next-generation aircraft will be a replacement for the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit strategic bombers. The US Air Force wants to buy at least 100 next-generation bombers that will fly alongside the B-52J Stratofortress.

One of the B-21 Raider's strengths is its open system architecture. This feature will ensure that modern technologies can be rapidly integrated to meet emerging threats.

The B-21 Raider is expected to make its first flight in late 2023. Northrop Grumman now has several prototypes that are in various stages of production. The US Air Force wants to avoid the concurrency problem that plagues the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter. This means that procurement of the B-21 will only begin once development is complete.

Source: DVIDS