Northrop Grumman unveils B-21 nuclear bomber for U.S. Air Drive By Reuters

By Mike Stone

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Northrop Grumman Corp on Friday rolled out its new B-21 “Raider” jet, the primary of a brand new fleet of long-range stealth nuclear bombers for the USA Air Drive.

The B-21 was unveiled throughout a dramatic ceremony at Northrop’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, providing members of the general public the primary take a look at the brand new bomber.

The B-21, which carries the same “flying wing” form to its predecessor, the B-2, will be capable to ship each typical and nuclear weapons all over the world utilizing long-range and mid-air refueling capabilities.

The plane have been projected to value roughly $550 million every in 2010 {dollars}, or about $750 million in right now’s inflation-adjusted {dollars}.

The Air Drive deliberate to purchase at the very least 100 of the planes and start to switch B-1 and B-2 bombers.

Northrop beat out a staff comprised of Boeing (NYSE:) Co and Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:) when it received the 2015 contract to make the bomber. Engine-maker Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN (LON:) Aerospace, BAE Techniques (OTC:) and Spirit Aerosystems are among the many greater than 400 suppliers in 40 states.

Northrop is asking the aircraft a sixth technology plane given its capability to connect with different plane and simply combine future weapons into its techniques structure.

The B-21 additionally options extra sturdy, stealth-enabling low observable floor materials that can require much less upkeep and maintain operations prices and downtime to a minimal, Doug Younger, sector vp and basic supervisor at Northrop Grumman (NYSE:) Aeronautics Techniques, advised Reuters in an interview.

The presentation offered the primary video and photograph pictures of the brand new bomber. Beforehand, solely artist renderings have been revealed.

Six of the planes, which is to have its first flight in mid-2023, are in numerous levels of meeting. Greater than 8,000 individuals from Northrop Grumman, business companions and the Air Drive at present work on this system.