B-21 (LRS-B) Thread

Looks like there are only two main landing gear wheels/tires per side and not the 4 wheel/tire MLG like on the B-2.

With a pair of 30,000 lbs thrust non after burning P&W F135 engines that would indicate a MGTOW of ~ 210 to 240,000 lbs.

B-2 MGTOW = ~340,000 lbs.

Good catch, that would enable off the shelf 737 or A320 gears to work. The A321XLR is 223k lbs, the 737-10 should be close to 198k lbs.

Quite a contrast in how we/the US vs. Russia is approaching bomber modernization. We're working on a subsonic flying wing type of future bomber, whereas they're building an up-rated TU-160 (first example recently flew). Yes, they're supposedly working on PAK-DA/full up stealth bomber but quite honestly, they can't even get their "5th gen" fighter working, so fat chance I'd say of PAK-DA seeing the light of day.

The Chinese though, they have something similar to the B-21 in development. Unlike the Russians, they can probably afford/make a go of it. They appear to be hard at work stealing (oops, I mean developing) it...

https://sofrep.com/fightersweep/chinas- ... n-testing/

Funny you should mention that...

The Russian MoD has signed a contract with the developer of PAK-DA long-range stealth bomber to commence production for a possible delivery by 2027 according to state media.

“The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has signed all the necessary contracts to start production of the PAK-DA long-range bomber. Flight tests of the aircraft is scheduled for 2027,” deputy head of the department Alexey Krivoruchk was quoted as saying by Zvezda, run by the Russian MoD reported on Monday.

“The characteristics of the aircraft have been agreed upon, all contract documents necessary for the production of samples have been signed, preparatory design stages are underway,” Krivoruchko said.
The aircraft is expected to be of subsonic speed, have a 12,000 km operational range and a capability to continuously remain in the air for up to 30 hours while carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads up to 30 tons. The aircraft is expected to have a crew of 4.

The PAK-DA is expected to replace all current strategic bombers in the Russian Air Force by the next decade.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/russia- ... th-bomber/

Pretty much most of what is coming out of Russia in regards to future defense programs. Is more fiction than fact....

Announcing your intent to field a stealth bomber and providing artist renderings is one thing, actually doing it is quite another. And judging by the way Russian MOD sets dates for XYZ happening vs. reality, first flight will be lucky to occur before 2030.

Actually affording enough to replace your whole fleet with them? Fat chance. In fact, I'd say Russia will be lucky to complete the TU-160 new builds, nevermind PAK DA. They just don't have a good track record when it comes to developing even semi-stealth aircraft, nevermind full blown VLO designs.

Sorry, but their past claims just don't cut it when it comes to reality...

If, we had a dollar for every false claim by Russia. We all could retire now.....

I'd bet money on the B-21 being an optionally-manned aircraft when it enters service.

https://www.foxnews.com/tech/air-force- ... th-bombers

Updated news. We may get 180 B-21s

https://www.foxnews.com/tech/air-force-180-new-b-21-stealth-bombers

Updated news. We may get 180 B-21s

Nice. We would have a nearly 1:1 ratio of F-22's to B-21's

Srsly though, 180 is quite a bit for a strategic bomber. After the B-52 (and that covers a LOT of ground), the largest production run for a US strategic bomber was the B-1B. The program of record delivered 100, and I'd argue that was one hell of a smart investment.

They had to have made a breakthrough somewhere in manufacturing, driving the unit cost down considerably. LM did so on the F-35, and getting a stealthy tactical fighter into the under $80 unit cost category was extraordinary (and they did it ahead of schedule, to boot)!

If they did indeed do the same on a strategic bomber, it'll be one of (if not the) biggest breakthrough in stealth to date IMO.. Forget all the whizbang ultra low RCS, avionics and propulsion technology. None of that does any good if you can't afford it.