{"id":1485276,"date":"2022-05-20T08:16:01","date_gmt":"2022-05-20T12:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1485276"},"modified":"2022-05-20T08:19:19","modified_gmt":"2022-05-20T12:19:19","slug":"b-21-raider-stealth-bomber-to-make-debut-flight-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/b-21-raider-stealth-bomber-to-make-debut-flight-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber to Make Debut Flight in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fb-21-raider-stealth-bomber-to-make-debut-flight-in-2023%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1485276&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Development of the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/05\/b-21-stealth-bomber-production\/\">steadily progressed<\/a>, and officials at the United States Air Force now expect the bomber to make its first flight in 2023. Testing is currently underway on the first prototype, while the sixth aircraft began assembly at Northrop\u2019s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe next major program milestone is first flight of the initial test aircraft, which is projected to occur in 2023,\u201d the Air Force announced via a statement. \u201cThe first B-21 flight will be data-driven, not date-driven.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>The United States Air Force, in its fiscal 2023 budget request, has called for $3.254 billion in research, development, test, and evaluation funding for the bomber along with $1.787 billion for procurement. Over five years, the service expects to spend $19.536 billion for B-21 procurement, according to budget documents,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aviationweek.com\/defense-space\/b-21-first-flight-now-set-2023\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/aviationweek.com\/defense-space\/b-21-first-flight-now-set-2023&#038;source=gmail&#038;ust=1653060350713000&#038;usg=AOvVaw1MnIpqXmkZvxkLX0O9wRTj\">Aviation Week reported<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>B-21 \u2013 Slow and Steady Wins the Race<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Air Force has been direct that it won\u2019t be driven by a hard date, and as a result development of the B-21 Raider, which will eventually replace the service\u2019s fleet of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/05\/air-force-b-52-b-1b-lancer-and-b-2-bombers-are-watching-russia\/\">B-1 Lancer<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/tag\/b-2\">B-2 Spirit<\/a> in the coming decade, can\u2019t be rushed.\n<\/p>\n<p>Lt. Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, the top Air Force acquisition official,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.airforcemag.com\/usaf-leaders-on-hypersonics-b-21-production-the-e-7-transition-and-buying-fewer-hh-60s\/#:~:text=B%2D21%20Development%20Can&#039;s%20Speed%20Up%2C%20But%20Production%20Might&#038;text=Asked%20what%20the%20Air%20Force,has%20kept%20it%20on%2\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.airforcemag.com\/usaf-leaders-on-hypersonics-b-21-production-the-e-7-transition-and-buying-fewer-hh-60s\/%23:~:text%3DB%252D21%2520Development%2520Can&#039;s%2520Speed%2520Up%252C%2520But%2520Production%2520Might%26text%3DAsked%2520what%2520the%2520Air%2520Force,has%2520kept%2520it%2520on%252&#038;source=gmail&#038;ust=1653060350713000&#038;usg=AOvVaw088OMguke2ZIgjUSEKjjH_\">testified before<\/a>\u00a0the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that the B-21 was \u201con schedule and on budget,\u201d but warned that he has never seen a program that didn\u2019t have unexpected issues.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe program\u2019s going really, really well. But there\u2019s a lot of work to go,\u201d Richardson told lawmakers. \u201cI don\u2019t know what bumps may come, but there will be bumps along the road, as we finish out the program, and we need to work through them.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>He further said that while he didn\u2019t know of any problems, Congress needs to show some patience.\n<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) praised the B-21 program and said it was \u201cexquisitely run.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>Gen. David S. Nahom, deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, also told the committee that Air Force cannot attempt to \u201caccelerate\u201d the Raider\u2019s development, but added that the production speed could be increased.\n<\/p>\n<p>Gen. Richardson agreed that it would be unwise to accelerate the B-21\u2019s development.\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_45264\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-45264\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit \u201cStealth\u201d bomber, 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., flies over the Pacific Ocean after a recent aerial refueling mission, May 2, 2005. The Bombers are deployed to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, as part of a rotation that has provided the U.S. Pacific Command a continous bomber presence in the Asian Pacific region since February 2004, enhancing regional security and the U.S. commitment to the Western Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo) (Released)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_43860\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-43860\" class=\"size-large wp-image-43860\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Stealth-Drone-Bomber-1200x675-1.jpg\" alt=\"Stealth Drone Bomber\" width=\"880\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Stealth-Drone-Bomber-1200x675-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Stealth-Drone-Bomber-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Stealth-Drone-Bomber-768x432-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Stealth-Drone-Bomber-1024x576-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Stealth-Drone-Bomber-600x337-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Stealth-Drone-Bomber.jpg 1280w\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-43860\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shown is a B-21 Raider artist rendering graphic. The rendering highlights the future stealth bomber with Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., as the backdrop. Designed to perform long range conventional and nuclear missions and to operate in tomorrow\u2019s high end threat environment, the B-21 will be a visible and flexible component of the nuclear triad. (U.S. Air Force graphic). This is the third USAF rendering of the B-21 Raider. Note changes in the windshield from previous official renderings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_37206\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37206\" class=\"size-large wp-image-37206\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-1-1200x675-1.jpg\" alt=\"B-21\" width=\"880\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-1-1200x675-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/B-21-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-1-768x432-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-1-1024x576-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-1-600x337-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-1.jpg 1280w\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-37206\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">B-21 Raider artist rendering. Image Credit: Creative Commons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_36524\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36524\" class=\"size-large wp-image-36524\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-Raider-1200x675-1.jpg\" alt=\"B-21 Raider\" width=\"880\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-Raider-1200x675-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/B-21-Raider-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-Raider-768x432-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-Raider-1024x576-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-Raider-600x337-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/B-21-Raider.jpg 1280w\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-36524\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber. Image Credit: Creative Commons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cSpeed with discipline is our mantra on that program \u2026 We\u2019re moving as swiftly as we feel it\u2019s prudent to do,\u201d Richardson explained.<\/p>\n<p>Last month, the Department of the Air Force\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.af.mil\/News\/Article-Display\/Article\/2991747\/air-force-awards-b-21-raider-advance-procurement-to-support-acquisition-of-long\/\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.af.mil\/News\/Article-Display\/Article\/2991747\/air-force-awards-b-21-raider-advance-procurement-to-support-acquisition-of-long\/&#038;source=gmail&#038;ust=1653060350714000&#038;usg=AOvVaw2TEsE3gG4UZtNxh5vGxXGG\">awarded $108 million<\/a>\u00a0to Northrop Grumman for advanced procurement to support the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.northropgrumman.com\/what-we-do\/air\/b-21-raider\/\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.northropgrumman.com\/what-we-do\/air\/b-21-raider\/&#038;source=gmail&#038;ust=1653060350714000&#038;usg=AOvVaw2b6k9yDkhd1AkkKOAncH6o\">B-21 Raider program<\/a>. The funds directly support the acquisition of long-lead items needed to build the first lot of the new stealth bombers. The award was meant to reaffirm the U.S. Air Force\u2019s commitment to fielding what is slated to become the backbone of its 21st-century bomber fleet.\n<\/p>\n<p>Full-scale production of the B-21 could is expected to begin by late 2025 or early 2026. According to recent reports, the Air Force will spend billions to build the B-21 Raiders over the five-year <a href=\"https:\/\/www.airforcemag.com\/producing-new-b-21-bomber-will-cost-20-billion-through-2027\/\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.airforcemag.com\/producing-new-b-21-bomber-will-cost-20-billion-through-2027\/&#038;source=gmail&#038;ust=1653060350714000&#038;usg=AOvVaw2DQebaf7N1k3BH9Sk5V1aa\">Future Years Defense Plan<\/a>. The 2015 contract specified that initial production will include 21 aircraft on five lots.\n<\/p>\n<p><em>Now a Senior Editor for 1945, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites. He regularly writes about military hardware, and is the author of several books on military headgear including\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Gallery-Military-Headdress-Peter-Suciu\/dp\/0980656729\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Gallery-Military-Headdress-Peter-Suciu\/dp\/0980656729&#038;source=gmail&#038;ust=1653060350714000&#038;usg=AOvVaw3nLNcDhVbqeoREDinNyUbI\"><em>A Gallery of Military Headdress<\/em><\/a><em>, which is available on Amazon.com. Peter is also a\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/petersuciu\/?sh=2a2f53789bd3\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/petersuciu\/?sh%3D2a2f53789bd3&#038;source=gmail&#038;ust=1653060350714000&#038;usg=AOvVaw3ROOSP9-BllpCHXPxacbP_\"><em>Contributing Writer<\/em><\/a><em>\u00a0for Forbes.<\/em>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Development of the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider has steadily progressed, and officials at the United States Air Force now expect the bomber to make its first flight in 2023. Testing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":489,"featured_media":1485342,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1485276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1485276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/489"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1485276"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1485276\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1485342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1485276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1485276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1485276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}