Northrop Grumman unveils B-21 nuclear bomber for U.S. Air Drive By Reuters

By Mike Stone

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Northrop Grumman Corp on Friday rolled out its new B-21 “Raider” jet, the primary of a brand new fleet of long-range stealth nuclear bombers for the US Air Drive.

The B-21 was unveiled throughout a dramatic ceremony at Northrop’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, providing members of the general public the primary take a look at the brand new bomber.

The B-21, which carries an identical “flying wing” form to its predecessor, the B-2, will be capable of ship each standard and nuclear weapons all over the world utilizing long-range and mid-air refueling capabilities.

The plane had been projected to price roughly $550 million every in 2010 {dollars}, or about $750 million in right this moment’s inflation-adjusted {dollars}.

The Air Drive deliberate to purchase a minimum of 100 of the planes and start to exchange B-1 and B-2 bombers.

Northrop beat out a crew comprised of Boeing (NYSE:) Co and Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:) when it gained the 2015 contract to make the bomber. Engine-maker Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN (LON:) Aerospace, BAE Programs (OTC:) and Spirit Aerosystems are among the many greater than 400 suppliers in 40 states.

Northrop is looking the aircraft a sixth era plane given its capability to connect with different plane and simply combine future weapons into its programs structure.

The B-21 additionally options extra sturdy, stealth-enabling low observable floor materials that can require much less upkeep and maintain operations prices and downtime to a minimal, Doug Younger, sector vp and basic supervisor at Northrop Grumman (NYSE:) Aeronautics Programs, informed Reuters in an interview.

The presentation offered the primary video and photograph photographs of the brand new bomber. Beforehand, solely artist renderings have been printed.

Six of the planes, which is to have its first flight in mid-2023, are in varied phases of meeting. Greater than 8,000 folks from Northrop Grumman, trade companions and the Air Drive at present work on this system.