The B-2 Spirit Vs. The New B-21 Raider
Similarities and differences between the B-2 Spirit and the new B-21 Raider
The B-21 Spirit in the air. Photo: Northrop Grumman
It’s finally here, a new bomber plane constructed for the US, the B-21 Raider. During the viewing, it looked just like the B-2 Spirit; both had a slender design, they were both built by the same firm (Northrop Grumman), and they both used stealth tech. However, the B-21 is completely different; just one example is the size, it is sizably smaller than the B-2.
The B-21 will replace the B-2 once constructed. The B-2 was the first American-made stealth bomber. It used groundbreaking technological innovations for its creation. However, there were also many problems with the B-2 such as its cost. That’s why they’re still replacing it.
The B-2 was built at the height of the cold war. The US needed a modern bomber that was capable of carrying nuclear bombs. But, the Soviet Union fell apart. There was no threat to the US and the B-2 was extremely expensive. So, the US stopped constructing mass amounts of this bomber.
Now, with heightened tensions between China and Russia, the US has reaffirmed the need to have air supremacy. This has prepared Northrop Grumman to make a better aircraft than the B-2 Spirit.
There are many good parts of the B-2. For example, it used to be the only long-range stealth bomber (before the B-21 is constructed). It can reach subsonic speeds (628 mph) and can reach an altitude of 50,000 ft. The aircraft can carry many powerful weapons including the AGM-129 advanced cruise missile and AGM-158B JASSM-ER air-launched cruise missiles It can travel 6,00 nautical miles without refueling while carrying a payload of 20 tons. The B-2 has a wingspan of 172 feet, is 17 feet high, and is 69 feet long which is half a football field. Most importantly, it has stealth technology which means even the most advanced radars will barely be able to identify this aircraft. Where any mission is called, it could fly there in a few hours to complete the mission.
However, the estimated cost of these masterpieces was way above budget. It turns out that the B-2 was a delicate piece of tech. For example, every hour the B-2 flies, it spends countless hours in the hangar for maintenance. Every hour in the air costs 150,740 dollars.
If you thought the B-2 had the best technology, the B-21 is even better. The B-21 Raider is the next evolution from the B-2. The plane has technology worth three decades. It has a dual-capable penetrating bomber and is capable of delivering nuclear and conventional munitions. Additionally, it can employ stand-off and direct-attack munitions. The family of systems includes Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, electronic attack, communication, and other capabilities.
Computers can control the plane so unmanned or manned operations can happen. It is also being designed with open technology architecture so the plane can modernize to solve new threats. Lastly, the stealth technology is even stronger than the B-2 stealth. With these new formidable techs, the raider can swoop down into enemy territory and destroy important infrastructure.
Hopefully, the B-21 can avoid these costs and still turn out powerful. One example is the B-21 has a new kind of paint that won’t peel off that fast. New paint will be extremely useful to keep down maintenance costs. Hopefully, Northrop Grumman will have learned their lessons on these stealth bombers and will make a powerful aircraft that is cheaper. Either way, the B-2 will take off and show the world the strength of the US air force.
Related Stories:
https://time.com/6238168/b-21-raider-bomber-us-military-exclusive/
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/B-21-shape-of-the-future
https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/b2/
