US begins production of 'stealth killer' bomber

The US has announced that it has begun production of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, two months after the aircraft first flew.

"Based on the results of ground and air tests and the development team's plans, I have authorized the start of small-volume production of the B-21 Raider bomber," William LaPlante, US Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, said on January 23.

Mr. LaPlante did not disclose specific details about the B-21 bomber contract, such as the contract value, expected production volume or completion date. Northrop Grumman, the company that develops the B-21 Raider, confirmed on the same day that the aircraft has begun limited production.

"We were awarded the contract after the B-21 performed its first test flight as scheduled and met the standards to be put into production," said a representative of the US weapons manufacturer.

The B-21 Raider, also known as the "stealth killer", has been under development since 2015 by Northrop Grumman and was first unveiled in late 2022. It is the first bomber to be launched by the US since the 1980s, when the B-2 Spirit entered service. The manufacturer claims it is "the world's first true 6th generation stealth bomber".

B-21 bomber during a test flight in California, USA in November 2023. Photo: Drive

"The achievements of stealth technology over the past 50 years will be crystallized in this aircraft," US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the B-21 Raider's launch ceremony in December 2022. "Even the most modern air defense systems will have a hard time detecting it."

The US's "stealth killer" first flew last November, after a long delay in the project due to various reasons, including the impact of Covid-19. Last week, this bomber model conducted its second public test flight.

The US Air Force plans to order about 100 B-21 Raiders to replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit strategic bombers over the next few decades. Each B-21 costs nearly $700 million, not including research and production costs, while the entire project is worth about $203 billion. According to the plan, the B-21 will be put into service in the US Air Force in the next two years.

Pham Giang (According to Business Insider, Drive )

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