Following its formal inauguration on December 2, 2022, the B-21 Raider began flight testing at Edward Air Force Base, where it continues to make progress toward becoming the backbone of the U.S. Air Force's bomber fleet.
During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, highlighted that the B-21's flight tests are on track to meet deadlines and deliver to the warfighter by 8 September. May.
“We are in the flight test program, the flight test program is going well,” Hunter said in response to a question about the B-21 program. “It’s doing what flight test programs were designed to do, which helps us learn about the unique characteristics of this platform, but in a very, very effective way.”
Hunter explained that this is the first aircraft that is more digital than not, which helps the program meet the requirements.
The B-21 is a long-range, highly resilient and penetrating stealth bomber that will gradually replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers and play an important role in ing national security objectives and the security of U.S. allies and partners. all around the world.
The B-21 weapons system is manufactured under an Air Force contract with Northrop Grumman. It is designed with an open systems architecture, enabling the rapid insertion of mature technologies and enabling the aircraft to remain effective as threats evolve over time. The aircraft is expected to enter service in the mid-2020s, with a production target of at least 100 aircraft.
The U.S. Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office manages the acquisition program, with a focus on making test aircraft as representative of production as possible. The test aircraft are built on the same manufacturing line and use the same crew and tools that will be used in eventual production.
AFRCO's strategy includes building test aircraft as representative of production as possible. Instead of a traditional flight prototype approach, B-21 test aircraft are built including mission systems using the same manufacturing processes and tooling for production aircraft. This approach to development laid the foundation for production to begin more quickly.
When the B-21 enters service, Ellsworth FB, South Dakota, will be the B-21's first main operating base and site of the formal training unit. Whiteman AFB, Missouri, and Dyess AFB, Texas, are the preferred locations for the remaining bases and will receive aircraft as they become available.
B-21 Rider
The B-21 Raider will be a dual-capable penetrating strike stealth bomber capable of carrying conventional and nuclear munitions. The B-21 will form the backbone of the Air Force's future bomber force of B-21s and B-52s. Designed to operate in tomorrow's high-level threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring the enduring capability of U.S. air power.
Features
The B-21 Raider will be a component of a larger family of systems for long-range conventional attack, including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, electronic attack, communications and other capabilities. It will be nuclear capable and designed to accommodate manned or unmanned operations. Furthermore, it will be capable of employing a wide combination of isolated and direct attack munitions.
The B-21 is being designed with open systems architecture to reduce integration risk and enable competition for future modernization efforts to allow the aircraft to evolve as the threat environment changes.
Background
The Department of the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office leads the development of the B-21 Raider under the direction of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Secretary of the Air Force.
The Air Force awarded the B-21 Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract to Northrop Grumman on October 27, 2015. Northrop Grumman's partners in the B-21 program include Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems and Spirit Aerosystems. .
In 2018, the program successfully conducted the Weapon Systems Critical Design Review, a comprehensive assessment of program-wide design maturity, stability, and risk.
In 2019, the Air Force completed the Strategic Base Process by announcing Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri; and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, are the preferred locations for the B-21's main operating bases.
After completing the Environmental Impact Statement process as required by the National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory processes, in 2021 the Air Force named Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, as the first B-21 primary operating base and location of the Formal Training Unit. .
The Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, will host the B-21 Combined Test Force and the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the location for depot planning.
The B-21 Raider was named in honor of the historic Doolittle Raiders, U.S. Army Air Forces men known for their surprise attack against Japan during World War II on April 18, 1942, which forced the Japanese to call in forces. combat for home defense. and boosted morale among Americans and U.S. allies abroad. The B-21 designation recognizes the Raider as the first bomber of the XNUMXst century.
General features
Primary Function: Nuclear-capable penetrating-strike stealth bomber
Main Command:
Inventory Air Force Global Strike Command: Minimum 100 aircraft
Average unit acquisition cost (APUC): $550 million (base year 2010 dollars) / $639 million (base year 2019 dollars) / $692 million (base year 2022 dollars)
*APUC is the total cost of all procurement financing to include aircraft flight costs, equipment, training, spare parts, and engineering change orders divided by a minimum of 100 aircraft.
*Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates pointed to the B-21 Average Unit Acquisition Cost as a key performance parameter as the best means of controlling costs.
Ammunition: Nuclear and conventional
Operational: mid-2020s
Via USAF
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