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

WASHINGTON - Aerospace giant Northrop Grumman 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.

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 refuelling capabilities.

The aircraft were projected to cost approximately US$550 million each in 2010 dollars, or about US$750 million (S$1 billion) in today’s inflation-adjusted dollars.

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

Northrop beat out a team comprising Boeing and Lockheed Martin 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, Mr Doug Young, sector vice-president and general manager at Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, told Reuters in an interview.

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

Six of the planes, which will 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 are working on the programme. REUTERS