B21 Bomber
As expected, specific details of the bomber aircraft remain shrouded in secrecy.
But it was said by the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin that it was "a testament to America's enduring advantages in innovation and ingenuity".
During a ceremony on Friday the B-21 Raider was unveiled at manufacturer Northrop Grumman's facility in California, USA.
It was said by Mr Austin the plane would offer significant advances over those bombers that are existing in the US fleet, stating that "even the most sophisticated air defence systems will struggle to detect the B-21 bomber in the sky".
He said "50 years of advances in low-observable technology have gone into this aircraft,".
It was also added by him that the B-21 bomber was also built with an "open system architecture," which allows for the incorporation of "new weapons that haven't even been invented yet".
While during the ceremony the potential for an uncrewed flight was not mentioned, it was waid by a US Air Force spokeswoman that the aircraft was "provisioned for the possibility, but there has been no decision to fly without a crew".
The 1st flight by a B-21 bomber is expected to take place in the next year.
It will eventually replace the B-1 and B-2 bomber models and the fleet is estimated to cost $203bn (£165bn) to buy, develop, and operate over thirty years, according to Bloomberg.
6 planes are currently in the production process, the manufacturer said, adding they would feature the "next generation of stealth" and that it is employing unspecified "new manufacturing techniques and materials".
The US Air Force is planning to acquire at least hundred of the aircraft. So best of luck for USA 🇺🇸 .
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