US unveils concept of B-21 futuristic warplane
The US Air Force has unveiled the first ever image of its futuristic stealth bomber, the B-21, which will be the first American bomber of the 21st century.
Addressing the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Florida, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James revealed a concept of the plane known until now as the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B).
“This aircraft represents the future for our airmen, and [their] voice is important to this process,” James said, adding that the aircraft’s final name will be announced at the conference this fall.
The designation B-21 recognizes the aircraft as the military’s first bomber of the 21st century, according to the air force.
The B-2, the country’s newest bomber, is already 25 years old; the US military is still flying 1980s B-1s and 1950s B-52s.
No prototypes of the advanced fighter jet exist yet and the rendering is based on the initial concept of the warplane, development of which is assigned to Northrop Grumman.
According to James, the bomber is supposed to allow the USAF to operate in high-end threat environment of future, giving US military the ability to launch attacks against any target around the world.
She acknowledged the striking similarities between the new aircraft and the B-2 stealth bomber, which is also made by Northrop.
The new plane is designed “based on a set of requirements that allows the use of existing and mature technology,” James argued.
The B-21 program has entered the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase recently. The aircraft’s initial capability will be tested in mid 2020s.
The new announcement came only a day after the US test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile in a week which according to Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work sends a message to strategic competitors like Russia, China and North Korea that the United States has an effective nuclear arsenal.
Earlier this month, senior American and Russian officials warned that the two countries are engaged in another Cold War.
On February 9, James Clapper, director of National Intelligence, warned that tensions between the United States and Russia are spiraling into a new Cold War.
Shortly after that, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also warned against a new Cold War.
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