The US is one step closer to strengthening its nuclear triad

The United States is one step closer to beginning to replace its legendary B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers. We know that the task of fulfilling this mission will be the modern aircraft B-21 Raiderwhose development appears to be moving forward at a very good pace at the moment. Delays and cost overruns are a classic in the defense field, but this initiative has not faced monumental challenges such as those seen with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

After several years of work, defense contractor Northrop Grumman has completed a key phase of the project. The B-21 successfully passed a static ground test aimed at assessing something as important as the bomber’s structural integrity. William Bailey, director of the Department of the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, said in an official statement that this milestone has allowed “validating confidence in the digital models.”

The B-21 Raider is getting closer to entering service

While computers can do a great job of reproducing simulations, the moment of truth comes when an aircraft is tested in realistic scenarios. In this sense, the B21-Raider is in the development stage. fatigue testswhich includes frequent test flights. The first units will arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base, where flight squadrons will be trained and the certification process will progress.

We will still have to wait some time before we see the B21 Raider in action. The Department of Defense estimates that the new bomber will enter service “in the mid-2020s.” The National Interest magazine, meanwhile, notes that the Air Force plans to have 24 to 30 operational units by the early 2030s. If program data is to be believed, at least 100 units should be produced.

The B-21 promises to improve on its predecessors in almost every way. It is a bomber that should offer greater payload capacity for guided and unguided weapons (conventional and nuclear), as well as greater autonomy, maneuverability and stealth capabilityThese bombers incorporate technology that would allow them to integrate what is known as a “mixed force” to take advantage of data captured by other assets of the Armed Forces.

Bailey does not hesitate to present this aircraft as something unique. “Nobody on the planet can do what we are doing now. Nobody on the planet can build an exquisite and technologically advanced platform like the B-21,” says the director, confident in the virtues of this new project that is expected to become the “air leg” of a strengthened American nuclear triad. Time will tell if this will really be the case.

Images | United States Air Force

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