As China Shows Off Sixth-Gen Planes, the B-21 Raider Is Still Under Wraps
The U.S. is not the only world power working to introduce sixth-generation bomber technology.
The U.S. Air Force’s next-generation bomber continues to reach new milestones as tensions between Washington and Beijing ramp up. Leading defense manufacturer Northrop Grumman recently revealed that the upcoming platform has made significant progress in its flight test campaign in 2024. In November, new footage of the B-21 circulated on social media, depicting the airframe flying at high altitudes during ongoing tests. The images captured by aviation photographer Jarod Hamilton showcase a stunning bomber, which military officials and aviation buffs alike greatly anticipate.
While the service plans to produce at least 100 of these new bombers over the next decade, some analysts have warned that a fleet of at least 150-200 may be essential as Beijing races to introduce its own stealth bomber counterpart.
What We Know About the Raider Program
When the Raider officially enters service down the line, it is expected to replace the Air Force’s aging Rockwell B-1 Lance and Northrop B-2 Spirit by 2040.
The B-21 has been in the works since 2011, although limited information surrounding the exact specs and details of the platform are available. The highly classified stealth bomber was unveiled in late 2022, and its maiden flight followed closely after in 2023. Based on the publicized information and footage, the bomber appears to be much smaller than the B-2 Spirit, its immediate predecessor. In fact, the stealth bomber’s wingspan could be roughly 15% shorter than the Spirit’s, according to Sandboxx News. A tinier wingspan would mean that the Raider would be extremely difficult for enemy aircraft to detect on radar, an essential feature that will hopefully ensure the American bomber is superior to its potential near-peers in the skies.
In addition to its smaller wingspan, the Raider is set to incorporate the same modular systems that enable upgrades seamlessly that the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II possesses. As new technologies emerge over the upcoming years, the Raider can be adapted in order to retain an edge in future threat climates. In terms of bombing power, the Raider will undoubtedly serve as the backbone of the fleet when introduced. Capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads, the B-21 will “deliver a new era of capability and flexibility through advanced integration of data, sensors and weapons,” as Northrop Grumman says.
How Will the B-21 Compare to its Foreign Counterparts?
The U.S. is not the only world power working to introduce sixth-generation bomber technology. China has been steadily developing its Xi’an H-20 platform simultaneously, which may meet or even exceed the capabilities of the Raider. So, while the Raider program may come with an expensive price tag, the Air Force requires next-generation capabilities in order to counter its adversaries.
As then-U.S. defense secretary Lloyd Austin said during the unveiling of the Raider: “America’s defense will always be rooted in deterring conflict. So we are again making it plain to any potential foe that the risk and the cost of aggression far outweigh any conceivable gains.”
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin is a National Interest security contributor, an analyst with the Center for Security Policy, and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
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