The B-21 Raider was unveiled to the public at a heavily guarded ceremony at an Air Force base in California. The plane will be seen in the air next year.
The US Department of Defense has presented its first new bomber in more than 30 years to the public at an event in California.
The sixth generation bomber B-21 Raider was presented by the Minister of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Air Force plant in Palmdale.
– This is not just any plane. It embodies America’s determination to defend the republic we love, Austin said.
The B-21 Raider uses stealth technology and is very difficult to detect, according to the Pentagon. The plane can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. It can fly both with and without a crew.
The presentation was closely guarded. The B-21 Raider’s predecessor, the B-2, was introduced in 1988 by bringing the plane out to the public. The Raider, on the other hand, was displayed inside and only part of the plane was visible. With the development of spy satellites and cameras, the parts of the plane containing the most secret technology were covered.
According to the estimate of Uutistoimisto AP, one machine costs more than 700 million euros. The final price is determined by how many planes the Pentagon ends up buying.
– The machine is manufactured in the amount suitable for the strategic situation, says Austin.
The Air Force has planned to manufacture one hundred planes.
There are currently six planes in production, and the B-21 Raider will not make its first flight until next year.
The machine is part of the US Department of Defense Pentagon’s goal to modernize the defense branches that use nuclear weapons. According to the AP news agency, the plane is intended to respond to the challenges posed by China to the United States in the event of a future conflict.
Sources: AP, AFP, Reuters