Robert Besser
07 Dec 2022, 05:35 GMT+10
PALMDALE, California: Northrop Grumman has unveiled its new B-21 "Raider" jet, the first in a new fleet of long-range stealth nuclear bombers for the U.S. Air Force.
A ceremony was held at the company's Plant 42 to offer the public its first look at the new bomber.
By using long-range and mid-air refueling techniques, the B-21, which has a similar "flying wing" shape as its predecessor, the B-2, will be able to deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons around the world.
The Air Force plans to buy at least 100 of the aircraft, which cost some $550 million each in 2010 dollars, or about $750 million in today's inflation-adjusted dollars, to replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers.
In 2015, Northrop overcame competition from Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp, to win the contract to build the bomber.
According to Northrop, the B-21 is a sixth generation aircraft, and it can connect to other aircraft and easily deploy future weapons.
In an interview with Reuters, Doug Young of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems said the B-21 also features more durable, stealth-enabling low observable surface material, which will require less maintenance and minimize operations costs and down-time.
More than 8,000 employees from Northrop Grumman, industry partners and the US Air Force are currently working on the project.
Get a daily dose of Miami Mirror news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Miami Mirror.
More InformationATLANTA, Georgia: In light of its significant debt, the slowing economy and rising interest rates stifling consumer demand, US mattress-maker ...
BENTONVILLE, Arkansas: To attract and retain employees in a tight domestic labor market, Walmart has announced that it it will ...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks hesitatingly continued higher Friday, reflecting widespread gains, albeit modest ones, across the globe."We're ...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: As early as this year, lab-grown meat could be served in some restaurants in the ...
BANGKOK, Thailand: Following China's reopening and the end of its strict COVID-19 restrictions, businesses on Thailand's holiday island of Phuket ...
NEW YORK, New York - Recession fears faded on Wall Street Thursday as annualized 4th quarter GDP (gross domestic product) ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: This week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed significant limits on levels of lead in processed ...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Finland and Sweden are prepared to join the NATO alliance, the U.S. State Department announced this week.The move ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The US Justice Department has filed an antitrust complaint claiming that Google is abusing its dominance in digital ...
Public health experts have welcomed Mexico's ban on cigarette smoking in all public places, including hotels and beaches, after the ...
YONKERS, New York: After testing discovered harmful levels of heavy metals in chocolate, consumer magazine Consumer Reports has urged four ...
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso: As Burkina Faso, in western Africa, faces an Islamist insurgency, it is set to end a military ...