The Air Force has released new pictures of its B-21 Raider, a nuclear-armed stealth bomber, which is the first new American bomber in over 30 years. The plan is for the newest bombers to replace the B-1 and B-2 models.
Key Points
B-21 Raider is the first new American bomber in over 30 years
Named in honor of the Doolittle Raiders
Designed for conventional Long Range Strike with nuclear capabilities
Pros
Enhanced capabilities for conventional Long Range Strike operations
Nuclear capable and designed for both manned and unmanned operations
Stealth technology for radar avoidance
Cons
High cost per plane at $700 million
Replacing B-1 and B-2 models may lead to operational challenges