B-21 (LRS-B) Thread

I really do not know much about either aircraft but from what I can tell the only real capability the B-2 has over the Bone is stealth and nuclear. There are less (according to af.mil) 20 Spirits vs 60 Bones. No doubt both will be gradually be phased out by the Raider but the B-2 might be phased out faster because there are few of them and that they're stealth maintenance requirements are significantly high.

One advantage that the B-1B has over the B-2, B-21 and of course the B-52 is being supersonic.
While what you say makes some sense, unfortunately (IMO) it seems that the plan is exactly the opposite - First retire the B-1B's and only later on retire the B-2s, all replaced by the B-21 obviously.

I really do not know much about either aircraft but from what I can tell the only real capability the B-2 has over the Bone is stealth and nuclear. There are less (according to af.mil) 20 Spirits vs 60 Bones. No doubt both will be gradually be phased out by the Raider but the B-2 might be phased out faster because there are few of them and that they're stealth maintenance requirements are significantly high.

One advantage that the B-1B has over the B-2, B-21 and of course the B-52 is being supersonic.
While what you say makes some sense, unfortunately (IMO) it seems that the plan is exactly the opposite - First retire the B-1B's and only later on retire the B-2s, all replaced by the B-21 obviously.

The B-2 is our only penetrating nuclear capable bomber, which is far more important than supersonic dash, with conventional weapons. Maintaining our nuclear capability will take precedence, as we will still have a lot of conventional capacity.

Thoughts?

Thanks, great video. He seems to predict my own modest expectations. Basically the B-21 with its more advanced LO, will have more avionics and sensor capacity to operate alone and forward of the F-35. Whatever the F35 has, the B-21 will expand and improve upon. We'll probably be blown away 10-15 years from now as its abilities rise to the surface. Visually its an absolutely fantastic platform.

Exactly, the B-21 may have overlapping mission sets with the F-35. sorta like a Heavy SEAD/DEAD package, and with the immense fuel capacity it could be an orbiting SEAD sentry and just destroy any SAM site that goes online over a wide area.

after all the program name was “long range STRIKE bomber” so it may have tactical roles and not be limited to strategic roles

Exactly, the B-21 may have overlapping mission sets with the F-35. sorta like a Heavy SEAD/DEAD package, and with the immense fuel capacity it could be an orbiting SEAD sentry and just destroy any SAM site that goes online over a wide area.

after all the program name was “long range STRIKE bomber” so it may have tactical roles and not be limited to strategic roles

What???? B-21 is way more threatening than F-35.

Exactly, the B-21 may have overlapping mission sets with the F-35. sorta like a Heavy SEAD/DEAD package, and with the immense fuel capacity it could be an orbiting SEAD sentry and just destroy any SAM site that goes online over a wide area.

after all the program name was “long range STRIKE bomber” so it may have tactical roles and not be limited to strategic roles

Not only SAMs but it also threatens Chinese conventional BM and their launchers.

With its proposed numbers it will be able to fulfill the missions for both the nuclear triad and conventional tactical/strategic strikes. Going forward the potential for nuclear strike missions will grow.

One advantage that the B-1B has over the B-2, B-21 and of course the B-52 is being supersonic.
While what you say makes some sense, unfortunately (IMO) it seems that the plan is exactly the opposite - First retire the B-1B's and only later on retire the B-2s, all replaced by the B-21 obviously.

The B-2 is our only penetrating nuclear capable bomber, which is far more important than supersonic dash, with conventional weapons. Maintaining our nuclear capability will take precedence, as we will still have a lot of conventional capacity.

Yes, what you say makes sense.
And stealth is indeed better to penetrate enemy airspace than supersonic dash. And like you and others said, the B-2 is nuclear capable while the B-1 currently is not.

However, none of the older aircraft (B-1 or B-2) will be retired until there's enough B-21's around, will they?

One advantage that the B-1B has over the B-2, B-21 and of course the B-52 is being supersonic.
While what you say makes some sense, unfortunately (IMO) it seems that the plan is exactly the opposite - First retire the B-1B's and only later on retire the B-2s, all replaced by the B-21 obviously.

The B-2 is our only penetrating nuclear capable bomber, which is far more important than supersonic dash, with conventional weapons. Maintaining our nuclear capability will take precedence, as we will still have a lot of conventional capacity.

Yes, what you say makes sense.
And stealth is indeed better to penetrate enemy airspace than supersonic dash. And like you and others said, the B-2 is nuclear capable while the B-1 currently is not.

However, none of the older aircraft (B-1 or B-2) will be retired until there's enough B-21's around, will they?

There's no plan to retire any B-1B/B-2, until there are lots of B-21s in service (much like the F-22/NGAD plan).

Yet there are DoD and NG officials plainly stating the Raider IS a 6th gen aircraft. People who would know the difference between 5th & 6th gen tech and capabilities.

Would you expect NG to say anything else? They have to keep their stockholders happy.

Would you expect DoD to say anything else? They have to keep Congress happy.

The B-21 2 Australia talk just won't die.

Australia 'should be taking a look' at B-21 Raider: https://youtu.be/p8ASve9MhHk

The B-21 2 Australia talk just won't die.

Australia 'should be taking a look' at B-21 Raider: https://youtu.be/p8ASve9MhHk

Honestly, the US needs to get the numbers up. If, it is going to be able to afford the B-21....


So, maybe they should sell the B-21 and maybe not just to Australia!

The B-21 2 Australia talk just won't die.

Australia 'should be taking a look' at B-21 Raider: https://youtu.be/p8ASve9MhHk

Honestly, the US needs to get the numbers up. If, it is going to be able to afford the B-21....


So, maybe they should sell the B-21 and maybe not just to Australia!

If only, that would be great. Just what's needed. Unfortunately we can expect US industry to set up shop to produce the barest minimum to maximize profits, and fail to even meet those expectations.

Characteristics of the B-21

Length 16.2 m / 53.15 ft
Wingspan 39.624 m / 130 ft
Parking height 4.72 m / 15.5 ft
Wing area 275 m2 / 2960 ft2
Airframe volume 127.5 m3 / 4500 ft3
The volume of weapon compartments is 50 m3 / 1766 ft3

weight:
maximum takeoff 99790 kg / 220000 lb
normal takeoff 96490 kg / 212724 lb
empty 41912 kg / 92400 lb
fuel 44452 kg / 98000 lb
load maximum 13607 kg / 30000 lb
load typical 9672 kg / 21323 lb
service 453.6 kg / 1000 lb

1 multi-position launcher ~ 1000 kg
8 AGM-158 - 8168 kg
2 AIM-120 - 322 kg
2 AIM-9 - 182 kg

Engines:
2 x PW-9000, 2 x 13062 kgf / 30,000 lb

flight range 10700 km
radius 5100 km

Characteristics of the B-21

Length 16.2 m / 53.15 ft
Wingspan 39.624 m / 130 ft
Parking height 4.72 m / 15.5 ft
Wing area 275 m2 / 2960 ft2
Airframe volume 127.5 m3 / 4500 ft3
The volume of weapon compartments is 50 m3 / 1766 ft3

weight:
maximum takeoff 99790 kg / 220000 lb
normal takeoff 96490 kg / 212724 lb
empty 41912 kg / 92400 lb
fuel 44452 kg / 98000 lb
load maximum 13607 kg / 30000 lb
load typical 9672 kg / 21323 lb
service 453.6 kg / 1000 lb

1 multi-position launcher ~ 1000 kg
8 AGM-158 - 8168 kg
2 AIM-120 - 322 kg
2 AIM-9 - 182 kg

Engines:
2 x PW-9000, 2 x 13062 kgf / 30,000 lb

flight range 10700 km
radius 5100 km

Source?

Characteristics of the B-21

Length 16.2 m / 53.15 ft
Wingspan 39.624 m / 130 ft
Parking height 4.72 m / 15.5 ft
Wing area 275 m2 / 2960 ft2
Airframe volume 127.5 m3 / 4500 ft3
The volume of weapon compartments is 50 m3 / 1766 ft3

weight:
maximum takeoff 99790 kg / 220000 lb
normal takeoff 96490 kg / 212724 lb
empty 41912 kg / 92400 lb
fuel 44452 kg / 98000 lb
load maximum 13607 kg / 30000 lb
load typical 9672 kg / 21323 lb
service 453.6 kg / 1000 lb

1 multi-position launcher ~ 1000 kg
8 AGM-158 - 8168 kg
2 AIM-120 - 322 kg
2 AIM-9 - 182 kg

Engines:
2 x PW-9000, 2 x 13062 kgf / 30,000 lb

flight range 10700 km
radius 5100 km

Source?

Imagination.