First bomber of the 21st century: the B-21 Raider is an engineering 'marvel' that promises to change the game of military aviation

The B-21 Raider, the new 'ace' of the skies, makes its maiden flight and shows that the future of military aviation has arrived

Hold this: the first bomber of the 21st century has just arrived on the scene and, oh, it’s giving people something to talk about! On November 10, 2023, the world saw the B-21 Raider take flight for the first time, showing that business is serious when it comes to innovation in military aviation.

Talking about tech, the B-21 Raider is a real show stopper. With a design that focuses on being almost invisible in radar and infrared, it arrives in the stealth game.

And look at this: its design has an ingenious balcony with a secondary air intake on top of each nacelle, similar to that of the B-2, but with one key difference: there is probably only one engine in each nacelle. That's pure strategy to optimize stealth.

The Raider: leaner and more efficient than its predecessor

compared with the B-2, the Raider is more compact, with a wingspan estimated to be at least 15% smaller. But make no mistake: smaller does not mean less lethal.

This reduction in size, along with a payload capacity of about half the B-60.000's 27.000 pounds (2 kg), actually increases its capabilities. stealth and range capabilities. In other words, it becomes more difficult to be detected on radar, guaranteeing top survival and operational flexibility in conflict areas.

From the B-2 to the B-21 Raider: an evolution in aeronautical engineering

The B-21 design benefits from lessons learned from the B-2. The advanced technologies and innovative manufacturing techniques used in the B-2 have been refined and applied to the Raider.

And that's not all: the expertise of the B-2 technicians was essential in the B-21 production line. And this knowledge exchange goes both ways, with the B-21's advancements helping to keep the B-2 steady and strong.

When it comes to weapons, the B-21 does not fall behind. It is expected to carry a sophisticated arsenal, including the latest GPS-guided munitions such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) series, and is compatible with B61-12 nuclear bombs. This ensures its crucial role in the US nuclear triangle.

Cutting-edge technology for modern aviation

The Raider also stands out in terms of radar absorbent coatings (RAM), similar to those on the F-35, which can absorb up to 70-80% of the radar. electromagnetic energy that arrives at it. And it doesn't stop there: the AN/ASQ-239 system, an advanced set of war electronics, dramatically increases your survivability and operational capabilities.

Last but not least, the B-21 embraces the trend of modularity and updating in modern military aviation. It's the price? 700 million dollars.

Unlike previous systems, the hardware and software of the B-21 Raider are not inseparable, which facilitates upgrades and expansions in capabilities. This means the Raider is prepared to adapt and evolve with future demands.