The U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider stealth bomber has been unveiled.
This new aircraft is said to be better than the historic B-2 Spirit (well-known as Stealth Bomber).
(Photo : Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
A Northrop B-2 Spirit ,or Stealth bomber performs a flyover near the White House on July 04, 2020 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting a "Salute to America" celebration that includes flyovers by military aircraft and a large fireworks display.
The historic B-2 Spirit has been the most feared stealth aircraft because of its proven efficiency.
The United States already used this nuclear bomber in the Kosovo War (1999). It was also used in Afghanistan, Libya, and Iraq.
Meanwhile, the B-21 Raider is still a new model. This means that it hasn't been used in actual battles.
B-21 Raider Vs. B-2 Spirit
According to Engadget's latest report, the new B-21 Raider is the latest stealth aircraft of the U.S. Air Force in the past 30 years.
(Photo : Photo by USAF/Getty Images)
An inflight overview of the B-2 bomber on its fifth test flight in an undated photo. The U.S.-led bombing campaign in Afghanistan is in a third round of air and sea launched attacks, reportedly using B-2 bombers October 9, 2001 with bombs and missiles aimed at air defense and other military targets, senior Pentagon officials said.
Also Read: US Air Force to Present B-21 Raider, World's Most Advanced Strike Aircraft With Stealth Technology
It was unveiled during an event at Northrop Grumman's plant in California. During the event, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin claimed that the B-21 was more advanced than any long-range bomber.
"And even the most sophisticated air defense systems will struggle to detect a B-21 in the sky," said Austin.
But is the B-21 Raider really more effective than the iconic B-2 Spirit? Air and Space Forces magazine provided a detailed comparison between the two defense stealth bombers.
Features, Size, and Other Details
Size
B-2 (172 ft. span) is far larger than the new B-21 Raider (less than 150 ft. span). This is why the original Stealth Bomber has the advantage when it comes to the payload.
Unlike B-21 Raider, which can only carry less than 30,000 lbs, the B-2 Spirit has a payload of 60,000 lbs.
When it comes to passengers, both of them can only accommodate two pilots.
Design
The design of the B-2 is quite similar to the B-2 Raider's look. Their only difference is their tails; B-2 has a more jagged tail, while B-21 Raider has a simple triangular end.
Engines
When it comes to engines, all B-2 Spirit units are powered by four engines. On the other hand, the B-21 Raider models have two to four engines.
Stealth Efficiency
Of course, the B-21 Raider is stealthier compared to the B-2 Spirit. Thanks to its smaller size and more advanced features, it can avoid defense systems' detections more efficiently.
Aside from the new B-21 Raider, the U.S. government also tested and introduced other defense innovations.
Recently, the U.S. Navy's first autonomous surface vessel fleet was confirmed.
The U.S. Air Force also conducted a successful subsonic drone test.
For more news updates about stealth aircraft and other defense topics, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
Related Article: Northrop Grumman Unveils US Air Force's B-21 Stealth Nuclear Strategic Bomber
