What will replace the b2 bomber?

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What will replace the b2 bomber?

USAF plans to incrementally replace the B-1 Lancer and the B-2 Spirit bombers to form a two-bomber fleet of B-21s and modified B-52s. The B-21 programme is on track to deliver B-21s to the first operational base, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, in the mid-2020s.

What is the difference between the b2 and B-21?

The most apparent difference is that the B-21 has a clean diamond-shaped center body section in contrast to the B-2’s more jagged rear center wing outline. The indents in the B-2’s rear center wing were created by the engine exhausts, a design feature that appears to be absent from the B-21.

Is B-21 manned?

Initial B-21s will be manned, with unmanned operation possible several years after initial operational capability (IOC). No mention has been made of a desired speed, although the combination of long range, large payload, and cost constraints strongly suggest B-21 will be subsonic.

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Who built B-2 bomber?

Northrop Grumman
Northrop CorporationHughes Aircraft Company
Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit/Manufacturers

Are B-21 bombers still in service?

— The U.S. Air Force has five B-21 Raider bombers currently in various states of production at manufacturer Northrop Grumman’s plant in California, the service’s top civilian said on Monday.

What is a B-2 stealth bomber?

The U.S. Air Force’s B-2 stealth bomber is a key component of the nation’s long-range strike arsenal, and one of the most survivable aircraft in the world. Its unique stealth characteristics allow it to penetrate the most sophisticated enemy defenses. See the B-2 in Action The B-2 at 30: Soaring with the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber

Why is Northrop Grumman modernising the B-2 bomber?

Northrop Grumman, the B-2’s prime contractor, leads an industry team that is working on modernising the B-2 bomber. This is done to ensure that craft remains fully mission capable against evolving worldwide threats.

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How big is the radar cross section of a B-2 bomber?

Reportedly, the B-2 has a radar cross-section (RCS) of about 0.1 m 2 (1.1 sq ft). The bomber does not always fly stealthily; when nearing air defenses pilots “stealth up” the B-2, a maneuver whose details are secret.

Can the B-2 bomber be upgraded with precision-guided weapons?

Under a contract awarded to Northrop Grumman in February 2008, the USAF has begun a programme to give the B-2 the capability to attack moving targets, using precision-guided weapons such as the small diameter bomb II. The contract involves the upgrade of displays and radar modes.