Problem: The U.S. Air Force Needs 300 B-21 Raider Bombers

[rangerrebew]

Problem: The U.S. Air Force Needs 300 B-21 Raider Bombers
Story by Brandon J. Weichert • 22h


Summary and Key Points: The B-21 "Raider" is poised to be America's key asset in potential great power conflicts, capable of targeting any conventional or nuclear threat worldwide.
 
-As the U.S. Air Force faces shrinking size and delayed next-generation aircraft development, the B-21 serves as a crucial stopgap.

-The stealth bomber, smaller yet more advanced than its B-2 predecessor, addresses the strategic need to cover vast distances, particularly in a conflict with China.
 
-With sophisticated stealth capabilities and the ability to carry conventional and nuclear weapons, the B-21 is a practical enhancement of familiar technology, avoiding the pitfalls of overly ambitious projects.

B-21 Raider: America's Stealth Bomber for Modern Warfare
The B-21 “Raider” is America’s ace-in-the-hole, should a great power war erupt in the next few years.
According to its proponents, the stealth plane can “hold virtually any conventional or nuclear target in the world at risk.” At a time when the United States Air Force has slowly—dangerously—been allowed to decline in size since the end of the Cold War, with next-generation innovations, such as the Sixth-Generation warplane, proving increasingly difficult to build in a timely manner, the B-21 is a necessary stopgap for the Air Force. And what a “stopgap” it is.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/problem-the-u-s-air-force-needs-300-b-21-raider-bombers/ar-BB1lFpFZ?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=be173add9cee41aea0a9f2775127d120&ei=78

[rangerrebew]

If they build just two a year, it will throw the cost into the chump change category.  It will take a while to get all 300, but they will be more affordable.

[Smokin Joe]

How about stop retiring what works? At least until the bugs are worked out of the replacements.

If you could design the perfect weapon, would it be less perfect in 10, 20, 30 years? (look at the B-52, or the Ma Deuce).

A dozen or so gee whiz platforms won't replace the quality that 300, 400 less sophisticated attackers will have. Quantity has a quality all its own.

The Navy is having the same basic problem with its thought processes.

[Bigun]

How about stop retiring what works? At least until the bugs are worked out of the replacements.

If you could design the perfect weapon, would it be less perfect in 10, 20, 30 years? (look at the B-52, or the Ma Deuce).

A dozen or so gee whiz platforms won't replace the quality that 300, 400 less sophisticated attackers will have. Quantity has a quality all its own.

The Navy is having the same basic problem with its thought processes.

Well, if you consider GREED a thought process I guess you're right.

[rangerrebew]

How about stop retiring what works? At least until the bugs are worked out of the replacements.

You don't get how the military works!  Your suggestion makes good sense which makes it a bad suggestion to the military!

[Bigun]

You don't get how the military procurement works!  Your suggestion makes good sense which makes it a bad suggestion to the military!

Fixed!

[Bigun]

https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1803811388059467918

[IsailedawayfromFR]

How about stop retiring what works? At least until the bugs are worked out of the replacements.

If you could design the perfect weapon, would it be less perfect in 10, 20, 30 years? (look at the B-52, or the Ma Deuce).

A dozen or so gee whiz platforms won't replace the quality that 300, 400 less sophisticated attackers will have. Quantity has a quality all its own.

The Navy is having the same basic problem with its thought processes.

I agree fundamentally that the money is spent too easily, many times frivolously, at our expense.

There are times when the current technology requires changes, maybe not fundamental, but upgrading.  You mentioned the B52 and what is flying today is nothing like what it was when it began production so many decades ago.  Weapon systems, electronics, computer assists, etc.

As far as the B21, I happen to have a brother who works for Northrup and in charge of the systems whereby the pilots communicate with the plane.
It appears to be an entire world different from other older systems.  There are also apparent technological changes to make it far more stealthier than anything produced to date.  Could it be implemented into older craft?  Possibly but dunno.

And new weapon systems are not just good, they are requisite.  The next war will likely be tens of thousands of drones flown into our space by China to knock out our critical infrastructure.  A stealth bomber does nothing to prevent that from happening.