Posted on 02/26/2016 8:50:25 AM PST by BenLurkin
The U.S. Air Force has unveiled the first concept image of its futuristic B-21 long range bomber, which will be built by Northrop Grumman.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James revealed the artist's rendering at the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla., Friday. There are no existing prototypes of the aircraft, so the artist's rendering is based on its initial design concept.
...
James said the B-21 will let the Air Force launch from the continental U.S. and deliver airstrikes on any location in the world. The Air Force Secretary also acknowledged the B-21's resemblance to the current B-2 stealth bomber, which is also made by Northrop Grumman. "The B-21 has been designed from the beginning based on a set of requirements that allows the use of existing and mature technology," she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
James said the B-21 will let the Air Force launch from the continental U.S. and deliver airstrikes on any location in the world.
...
The whole country can be an aircraft carrier.
It seems all the designs are converging on this flying wing shape.
Good point
Today,unless these scientist have figured a way to reduce the aircrafts skin temperature it doesn’t really matter.The infrared detection sensors are so sensitive that any significant heat signature will be detected.
That’s one of the things that Northrup has in its favor.Its had plenty of time to research new defensive measures for the New B21 as well as the B2.
Everybody else is starting from square one.
Pretty.
We can make 1. Maybe 2.
Save on development cost and increase the number procured. Btw, check out the Lockheed martin concept, it looked like a giant F-22
Trailing edge is different.
At high-subsonic, you’re 18-19 hours from some targets, presuming a central US point of departure.
For most high value eastern hemisphere targets you’re 8-11 hours away.
Implies fairly static targets.
Hopefully we already have some deployed; unless they were determined to be detrimental to goat ranger outreach.
I’m thinking the per-copy price could buy a whole lot of satellites and tungsten rods - Said the THOR enthusiast.
“Implies fairly static targets.”
Not really. With that range it does not matter how far they run in those 11 hours. You will still get them. Guided bombs do a pretty good job hitting moving targets.
No it’s a B-2.1
Those Horton boys, such geeks!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.