This Friday, the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman will present the latest stealth aircraft, the B-21 Raider, at the company’s Palmdale, California plant.
Dough Young, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, stated in a news release, “The B-21 is the most sophisticated military aircraft ever constructed and is the result of pioneering ingenuity and technological superiority.” The Raider exemplifies the commitment and expertise of the tens of thousands of individuals that labor every day to deliver this aircraft.
Northrop was given a contract in 2015 to develop and construct the most sophisticated strike aircraft in the world.
The B-21 was manufactured utilizing innovative manufacturing processes and stealth technologies. It is a sixth-generation aircraft that is “designed for missions in highly contested settings,” according to Northrop Corporate President Tom Jones.
According to Northrop’s website, the aircraft is designed for long-distance conventional and nuclear missions.
The anticipated cost to develop, acquire, and operate 100 aircraft is $203 billion, or approximately $2 billion each aircraft.
Currently, six aircraft are being constructed at Palmdale, and the first B-21 is scheduled to take flight in 2023, pending the outcome of ground tests.
Friday’s launch is by invitation only.
Northrop Grumman Corporation designs and produces sophisticated aviation systems. The Aeronautics Systems section designs, develops, produces, integrates, maintains, and modernizes sophisticated management systems, weapons systems and aircraft, and mission systems.
»Friday, the Air Force will unveil its new B-21 Raider stealth bomber«