The U.S. Pentagon has unveiled its first bomber aircraft in more than 30 years, the B-21 Raider, which is designed to deliver conventional and nuclear munitions with «formidable» accuracy.
As detailed by the U.S. Department of Defense, this new B-21 will form «the backbone» of the country’s future Army bomber force, all part of the Administration’s commitment to develop capabilities that will strengthen America’s ability to deter aggression.
«(The B-21) is a testament to America’s enduring advantages in ingenuity and innovation. (…) Now, strengthening and sustaining America’s deterrence is at the heart of our National Defense Strategy. And so is our uniquely American spirit of innovation and invention,» said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the official unveiling of the new bomber.
According to Austin, «no other long-range bomber can match the efficiency» of the B-21, since it «does not need logistical support». In this sense, he emphasized that «even the most sophisticated air defense systems will have difficulties to detect a B-21 in the sky».
«The B-21 is multifunctional. It can do anything from intelligence gathering to battle management to integration with our allies and partners. And it will work seamlessly across domains and theaters, and across the joint force. Its advantage will last for decades,» the defense secretary reiterated.
«Ladies and gentlemen, this is deterrence American style (…) This is not just another aircraft. It is not just another acquisition. It is a symbol and a source of the fighting spirit that President Reagan talked about. It is the embodiment of America’s determination to defend the republic that we all love,» he added.
