B-21 Revealed

[Thumpalumpacus]

I thought it was already known as "Monica"

That's because it was intended to deploy the Harmonica of Doom, a costly DARPA project cancelled in FY 2002.

 

[MIflyer]

What about the Boeing YF-118G? Those design features fed into the X-32.. You'd never guess it, would you?

 

[GrauGeist]

What about the Boeing YF-118G? Those design features fed into the X-32.. You'd never guess it, would you?

View attachment 751154

That looks like something the Iranian Airforce would have come up with.

Complete with a Pioneer cassette deck in the console...

 

[SaparotRob]

Yet it actually flew.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

What about the Boeing YF-118G? Those design features fed into the X-32.. You'd never guess it, would you?

View attachment 751154

That looks like a praying mantis rather than an overly happy pregnant cow. This is a compliment.

 

[MIflyer]

Yet it actually flew.

At a blazing 300 MPH, too.

Actually, it looks better than anything Hollywood could have come up with for an alien spacecraft. The USAF could have used it to go scare the USN. Do a touch and go on the USS Nimitz.

 

[GTX]

That's because it was intended to deploy the Harmonica of Doom, a costly DARPA project cancelled in FY 2002.

Err...not quite. More to do with the gaping mouth...err intake.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

WASHINGTON — Nations in the Asia-Pacific are growing their missile arsenals, but the development of long-range capabilities may help stabilize the region, according to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The London-based think tank released its take on the region's balance of power, noting the growth in arms could boost deterrence against potential Chinese military offensives.

[...]

As a means of ensuring regional stability, the report specifically pointed to the U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider, a bomber currently in development by Northrop Grumman.

The first Raider, unveiled a little over a year ago, flew to Edwards Air Force Base, California, in November 2023 to undergo flight testing. Initial delivery to the service is expected in the mid-2020s.

The IISS report offered four possible basing locations for the B-21 in the Asia-Pacific — one in Guam and three in Australia — based on its own analysis, information from the U.S. and Australian militaries, and Lockheed Martin.

In addition, a variant of the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile, dubbed AGM-158D JASSM-XR, with a range of up to about 1,118 miles, is scheduled to begin delivery in February 2027, the report noted.

"Designed to defeat modern air-defence systems and attack fixed targets, the JASSM and its variants can be launched from most USAF-crewed combat aircraft but are particularly potent when launched from long-range bombers," it stated. "The prospect that the future B-21 Raider very low-observable bomber might also be equipped with variants of the JASSM will also potentially significantly extend the USAF's ability to project power at long ranges while remaining undetected."

Where might the US station its B-21 bombers to deter China?

A new report says the U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider could help ensure stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

www.airforcetimes.com

 

[MIflyer]

2nd Test flight for the B-21 confirmed. This is a shot of the first test flight.