B-21 Raider. Specifications. A photo.

2022-12-03

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The B-21 Raider is a US-made strategic bomber. The bomber belongs to the aircraft of the fourth generation. The aircraft has low radar visibility, as evidenced by the shape of its fuselage, which scatters radar waves, and makes it an inconspicuous target for air defense systems, which allows the aircraft to be used both at a considerable distance from enemy positions and for work in the rear.

The design of the American strategic bomber B-21 Raider is made according to the "flying wing" scheme. The design of the B-21 Raider bomber, despite the apparent similarity with the design of the B-2 Spirit bomber, has significant differences, which contribute to the low radar visibility of this strategic bomber. The fuselage of the aircraft is made using composite materials and has an anti-radar coating. According to a number of data, compared with the B-2 Spirit bomber, the B-21 Raider strategic bomber has a 20% lower RCS.

The B-21 Raider bomber was developed in 2022, and on December 2, 2022, its official presentation took place, which made it possible for the first time to evaluate the appearance and design of the fourth generation bomber.

The strategic bomber B-21 Raider has a four-lobed fuselage shape. The maximum bomb load of the B-21 Raider bomber has been significantly increased compared to the B-2 Spirit bomber. At the same time, the aircraft is also designed for the use of hypersonic weapons, both short and long range.

The cost of the B-21 Raider strategic bomber is about $500 million, which is relatively small, however, about $50 billion was spent on the program itself, which is comparable to the cost of Russia's annual defense budget.

A unique feature of the B-21 Raider strategic bomber is that it is the first bomber with a network-centric control system, although this option is only available on sixth-generation aircraft.

As of 2022, at least 100 B-21 Raider strategic bombers are expected to be produced.