HISTORY: Similar in shape to the B-2, a “flying wing” design already in the Air Force’s inventory, the B-21 “Raider” will also be able to deliver nuclear weapons worldwide due of its long and medium range. aerial refueling capabilities.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called the B-21 “the first strategic bomber in over three decades”, predicting that “even the most sophisticated air defense systems will have difficulty detecting the B-21 in the sky”.
Each B-21, which can deliver both conventional and nuclear bombs, was expected to cost about $550 million each in 2010 dollars, or about $750 million in current inflation-adjusted dollars.
The Air Force planned to purchase at least 100 of the aircraft and begin replacing B-1 and B-2 bombers.
