Summary

  • The B-21 Raider offers a long-range strike capability with stealth features.
  • A comprehensive family of systems, including ground stations and UAVs
  • Open architecture design reduces integration risks for future upgrades

The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is a sixth-generation strategic bomber under development by Northrop Grumman for the United States Air Force (USAF). The aircraft is expected to feature long-range stealth capability, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The USAF aims to replace the aging Rockwell B-1 Lancers and Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit with the new bomber. This article explores five fast facts about the B-21 Raider.

1

A long-range strike aircraft

A combination of range, payload, and survivability

Estimated characteristics Specifications
Weapon load capacity 20,000 lb (9,100 kg)
Empty weight 70,000 lb (31,750 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) 180,000 lb (81,650 kg)

While the specifics of range, speed, and payload characteristics are not known, it is fair to say that the new bomber will have greater capability than the Cold War-era B-22 bomber. Northrop Grumman has incorporated modern technologies to acquire a perfect combination of speed and combat range.

A B-21 Raider at its unveiling ceremony at Palmdale, California.

Photo: US Department of Defense

According to Northrop Grumman,

“We are providing America’s warfighters with an advanced aircraft offering a combination of range, payload, and survivability. The B-21 Raider will be capable of penetrating the toughest defenses to deliver precision strikes anywhere in the world. The B-21 is the future of deterrence.”

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2

A comprehensive family of systems

Multiple systems and vehicles within the platform

  • The B-21 Raider stealth bomber
  • Ground stations
  • Other airborne jets
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles

The B-21 Raider may very well be idealized as a stealth bomber, it is indeed a part of a comprehensive family of systems. With the aircraft’s intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, and attack capabilities, it is also capable of communicating between various platforms, including ground, other airborne aircraft, and unmanned vehicles.

A Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider parked in a hangar in front of an American Flag.

Photo: USAF

According to the United States Air Force (USAF),

“The B-21 Raider will be a component of a larger family of systems for conventional Long Range Strike, including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, electronic attack, communication and other capabilities. It will be nuclear capable and designed to accommodate manned or unmanned operations. Additionally, it will be able to employ a broad mix of stand-off and direct-attack munitions.”

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3

An open architecture

To reduce integration risks

  • Future upgrades and integrations
  • Continuous performance evolution
  • Security risks during operation
  • Performance feedback and challenges

The B-21 Raider stealth bomber program is based on an open systems architecture to allow for continuous improvement. The Air Force aims to use the aircraft and platform, for several decades. Therefore, it is essential to minimize the integration risk with future technologies and upgrades.

Moreover, the aircraft must also overcome continuous threats and challenges thrown at it during active service.

7668049 16x9 - B-21 Raider

According to the Air Force,

“The B-21 is being designed with open systems architecture to reduce integration risk and enable competition for future modernization efforts to allow for the aircraft to evolve as the threat environment changes.”

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4

A production-focused aircraft

Test aircraft will be built with mission systems

  • A digital design
  • Advanced manufacturing techniques
  • Mission-ready test aircraft
  • Promotes a smooth transition into production
  • Minimizes program delays

Northrop Grumman has taken a different approach with the B-21 Raider program by eliminating the prototyping method altogether and replacing it with the production-focused aircraft. The test aircraft is built with mission systems and tools used for production aircraft, eliminating the prototyping step.

A Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider inside of a hangar, in front of an American flag.

Photo: Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman states,

“A key strategy of the program was to build a production representative first test aircraft. Rather than a prototype, the B-21 test aircraft is equipped with mission systems and was built by the same manufacturing technicians using the same processes and tooling for production aircraft. The body of knowledge and experience gleaned in the development process supports a smooth transition into production on the path to delivering operational capability.”

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The technique is expected to benefit greatly with the testing phase, where actual systems and capabilities can be tested. Moreover, essential feedback pertaining to operational performance and mission completeness can be assessed early on, reducing program delays.

5

A high procurement cost

Average Procurement Unit Cost (APUC): $550 million (2010)

Year APUC % difference
2010 $550 million Baseline
2015 $598 million 8.7%
2020 $653 million 9.2% (from 2010)
2024 $791 million 21.1% (from 2020)

The B-21 Raider has a very high procurement cost of $550 million in 2010 dollars. Correcting for inflation for the current year (particularly high inflation since 2020), the number comes out to be $791 million. As described by the Air Force, the APUC is the total cost of all procurement funding, including aircraft flyaway costs, support equipment, spares, engineering orders, and training.

Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider

Photo: Northrop Grumman 

The total cost is divided by 100 aircraft, a minimum number that the Air Force aims to acquire. Putting everything together, it is indeed a large number thanks to the modern equipment and technological enhancements embedded into the design.

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What are your thoughts on the fast facts of the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider? Share your views in the comments section.

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