B-21 Raider: Next step, First flight!

originally posted by: aholic
Another aspect for the reveal is the air force will be asking congress for quite a bit more money for this program in the coming years. And it's much much much much easier to get approval for projects that actually exist. There's only so much the govt will funnel into black.

Additionally, since this air craft will eventually carry nuclear weapons it's silhouette will need to be shared to the public in accordance with the safe arms reduction act and nuclear capable aircraft identification disclosures.

How many B-21s will be built is the billion-dollar question as far as the B-21 program is concerned, because the US Air Force back in the late 1980s hoped to procure 132 B-2s, but eventually capped production of the B-2 to 21 aircraft.

Since the Pentagon plans to take the B83 thermonuclear bomb out of service, the only nuclear weapon that the B-21 will carry is the B61-12 (also carried by the B-2), which has an estimated maximum yield of 50 kT.

The program is well funded for now. But if the air force wants the numbers it needs, more money will be requested. The public doesn't like funding stuff it can't see.

And yes any nuclear capable aircraft has to be known to potential enemies as part of START.

This was always going to be a white world program. It's cousins however......

a reply to: aholic

The first six are “near production” aircraft. Unlike previous aircraft they will require minimal changes to make them production representative.

a reply to: Potlatch

The B-2 was done in by changing world conditions, and cost overruns. The B-21 doesn’t have to worry about a major threat disappearing, and is at least partially fixed price incentive.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I'm not in the know enough to speculate on anything. I just glean information from the big heads here.

However, addressing the shadows and trailing edge, I'm guessing a professional lighting company was brought in specifically to keep them ambiguous. I'm wondering if the trailing edge will wind up being a cranked kite or more similar to the RQ-180.

Also, what're the odds this was neither Amarillo nor Wichita?

a reply to: cmdrkeenkid

Amazing to think that Wichita and Amarillo were almost a decade ago now. I've gone on record here as being 50/50 on Wichita being either some sort of big RQ-180 style drone that only appeared to be a Dorito due to tricks of lighting, or being the A-12 Avenger II prototype going for a joyride from the Phantom Works to some final resting place be seen by the execs and engineers responsible for it after the lawsuit had finally been settled.

As for Amarillo, I have no freaking clue. That mystery just seems to grow and grow as the years go by.

a reply to: Barnalby

The A-12 was never even close to being ready to fly.

originally posted by: cmdrkeenkid
Also, what're the odds this was neither Amarillo nor Wichita?

Remote as hell.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I WANT TO BELIEVE

Would've made a great sappy movie ending for a star-crossed airframe.

Nice shot without the blue and red light:

i.redd.it...

Things that make you go "hmmm".

a reply to: Zaphod58

Fancy looking exhaust. I can't wait to hear how wild this thing sounds in flight, between that and those intakes.

a reply to: Barnalby

It hasn't been confirmed that is the exhaust, but that's a picture from the AFRL page of the ADVENT engine. That's definitely not any fighter type inlet and exhaust ever built, so it makes one thing.

2016 Dated Source: Revealed: Behind the Shadowy B-21 Stealth Bomber's Veil of Secrecy


…..”Given what is known about the B-21—which is likely to be somewhat smaller than the current B-2—the aircraft will likely use a pair of unaugmented 28,000lbs-class F135s engines from the F-35. With some tweaks, such as an increased bypass ratio, a version of the F135 could probably produce more than 30,000lbs of thrust while potentially increasing fuel efficiency. Sixty thousand pounds of thrust should be more than adequate for a highly efficient flying wing that’s slightly smaller than the B-2.”…….



Current Engine Source: Pratt & Whitney F135 Engine

The above may be old news for some…..it’s new to me.

👽

Some good gouge …..

Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider

authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 12/03/2022

Click….. Go to Specifications under picture and open individual tabs.

Additionally the entire article makes for an interesting read

👽

a reply to: VulcanWerks

Way back when, fourteen or fifteen years ago, the University of Kentucky did an experiment with a visual system using a 2 meter RC plane. They flew it over twice, once with it off, and once with it on. The difference was staggering. With it on, you could barely detect the plane. It was hard enough to see with it off, but with it on, the picture showed basically nothing.

a reply to: Ophiuchus1

It's an F135 core, with some probably pretty significant changes to the accessories, and the afterburner cans removed. The P&W AETD engine program wrapped up in 2017, using an F135 core, with changes to the accessories. One reason for the wide lower fuselage on the B-21 could be for the additional ducting and piping for the third stream.

a reply to: Ophiuchus1


B-2A SPIRIT Block 30
General characteristics

Crew: 2: pilot (left seat) and mission commander (right seat)
Length: 69 ft 0 in (21.0 m)
Wingspan: 172 ft 0 in (52.4 m)
Height: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
Wing area: 5,140 sq ft (478 m2)
Empty weight: 158,000 lb (71,700 kg)
Gross weight: 336,500 lb (152,200 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 376,000 lb (170,600 kg)
Fuel capacity: 167,000 pounds (75,750 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × General Electric F118-GE-100 non-afterburning turbofans, 17,300 lbf (77 kN) thrust each
Performance

Maximum speed: 630 mph (1,010 km/h, 550 kn) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m) altitude / Mach 0.95 at sea level[164]
Cruise speed: 560 mph (900 km/h, 487 kn) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m) altitude
Range: 6,900 mi (11,000 km, 6,000 nmi)
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,200 m)
Wing loading: 67.3 lb/sq ft (329 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 0.205



B21 RAIDER
General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 65,6 ft 0 in (20.0 m)
Wingspan: 164 ft 0 in (50 m)
Height: 16,4 ft 0 in (5 m)
Wing area:
Empty weight: 154,324 lb (70,000 kg)
Gross weight:
Max takeoff weight: 374,786 lb (170,000 kg)
Fuel capacity:
Powerplant: 2xPratt & Whitney turbofan engines developing 15,000lbs thrust each (estimated)

Maximum speed: 621 mph (1,000 km/h, 540 kn)
Cruise speed: 466 mph (750 km/h, 405 kn)
Range: 6,835 mi (11,000 km, 20,472 nmi)
Service ceiling: 49,213 ft (15,000 m)
Wing loading:
Thrust/weight:

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: VulcanWerks

Way back when, fourteen or fifteen years ago, the University of Kentucky did an experiment with a visual system using a 2 meter RC plane. They flew it over twice, once with it off, and once with it on. The difference was staggering. With it on, you could barely detect the plane. It was hard enough to see with it off, but with it on, the picture showed basically nothing.

Would you be able to find a link to that? Sounds interesting as hell 🤓

a reply to: weavty1

We actually have a topped thread in the forum here that has all kinds of interesting information in it, including that.