America's new B-21 Raider bomber makes its first flight

The B-21 departed Northrop's facility at US Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, at dawn on November 10.

B-21 "Raider" bomber. Photo: Reuters

According to a witness, the plane took off at 6:51 a.m. local time. The Air Force has not released details of the B-21's maiden flight, but about three dozen aviation enthusiasts and amateur photographers gathered around Plant 42 on November 10 hoping to see the bomber take to the skies.

The B-21 will be able to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons around the world with long-range and mid-air refueling capabilities. The planes are expected to cost about $550 million each in 2010 dollars, or about $750 million in today's dollars.

The US Air Force plans to buy at least 100 of the planes and begin replacing the B-1 and B-2 bombers. According to Pentagon data, the B-1 costs about $60,000 an hour to operate and the B-2 about $65,000 an hour. Six test planes are currently in production.

Northrop beat out major companies including Boeing and Lockheed Martin to win the contract to build the bomber in 2015. Northrop calls the aircraft a sixth-generation aircraft thanks to its ability to network with other aircraft and easily integrate future weapons into its system architecture.

The B-21 is also equipped with more durable, low-observable surface materials, which are expected to require less maintenance, reducing operating costs and downtime.

Hoang Ton (According to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/may-bay-nem-bom-tang-hinh-b-21-raider-cua-my-lan-dau-cat-canh-post271968.html