Is the B-21 Raider just an upgraded B-2 Spirit?
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- Опубліковано 17 лип 2024
- On Friday evening, Northrop Grumman and the Air Force finally unveiled America's new stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, but almost immediately people began asking - isn't that just an updated B-2 Spirit?
The short answer is no, but here's Alex Hollings to explain more.
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Further Reading;
B-21 Raider coverage: www.sandboxx.us/blog/heres-yo...
B-21 is a testimony for how much they did the B2 right over 3 decades ago.
How advanced they were.
Even though my laptop looks the same on the outside as the one I had 20 years ago, does not mean they are comparable in much...
Nobody knows what it does
@@ns7353 from their words, obviously only a few hundred if that know but apparently be a deterrent for any threat anywhere so that is making the claim that it’s super long range which seems right, it will be able to act in place of a satellite, probably the stealthiest thing in the air and it can be remotely controlled. The way it’s discussed seems like it will be a long range bomber with the ability to be a remotely controlled command hub in the air able to deliver strikes across multiple targets at once without a pilot in it, while also being undetected. Bombers aren’t usually supersonic but I wouldn’t be surprised if this was low Mach 1. I suspect it’s main communication would be with F-35s and eventually the 6th gen fighter not so much the F22.
You mean the Aboriginal People of the Australian outback that invented the Boomerang 6000 years ago.
@@purebloodstevetungate5418 if you think it's similar to an boomerang, then you might have an lesser brain then those aboriginals.
@@purebloodstevetungate5418 and yet nowadays we have projectiles that can take out the entire aboroginal population within an hour if you give a random population from 1 random village all the most modern assault rifles and let them shoot on a sunny sunday.
Point is. We came a very long way
We can also just nuke them. That will surely make them understand what 60.000 years of development means. Even though the massive share of it is in the last 2500 years till this day
It’s crazy to think of aviation milestones in terms of the technology of the day.
The SR71 was built with 60s technology before we landed on the moon.
The B2 flew before the Internet was a big deal.
The Raptor was designed before dialup and flew before 9/11.
As I lack the clearance or need-to-know, I can only imagine what the B21 is fully capable of.
Loving the rapid B21 updates too
We don't even know what the F22 is fully capable of. They have to retrain F22 pilots after red flag events to work out the bad habits they picked up because they cannot use their entire classified armament.
Would love a sneak peak at some of its capabilities
And none of them provided any tangible benefit on the battlefield over the F117 or B52.
Incredible airplane. Incredible accomplishment for Northrop Grumman.
Maybe redesigned to survive EMP and other incoming?
@@kamilb1729 I'm willing to bet even the B-52 could withstand an EMP. All military equipment is built this way.
Since I'm way too much of a failure to even like myself, I need to make it clear most much I DON'T wanna seem like I'm above anyone for knowing these things! I am a huge unconfident loser read any of this post like it talking down to anyone. possibility of being "smart" is out of the question xD !!! I just every about this topic! Thinking, learning, discussing, sharing, its what find fun! !!! I just wanna waste my and your potential time so much that im here it deliver this message in my own special R-word'ed way! Ahem~
Heres the red-pill. It's not only 100% certain the B-21 survive almost all destructive EMP, I can prove it without know anything about what the B-2 Or B-21 is actually made of. WITH MATH, AND SCIENCE!
I don't blame any of you guys for being uneducated on GR or QM, they are such unhuman concepts that even mensa card genius often fail to grasp the concepts enough to understand them, much less can use it, a fraction of those people can teach it well, and you gotta be a obsessed super genius to theorize or it. Lucking I got the former, why more fun autistic and neurological/psychological brain damage I was born with.
PURPOSE OF STEALTH ISN'T SHRINKING OR STOPPING RADAR DETECTION!!! IT'S ENERGY ABSORPTION AND SCATTERING, ALL ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IS FUNDAMENTALLY THE SAME!!
I'm just so passionate! Visible light is the smallest and most impossibly fundamental level they are all just massless energies! Every energy that travels at the speed is massless, is EM radiation! Light, radar, the electricity in your digital device, the microwaves that heat up you leftovers... Its all fundamentally the same.
...
I gotta "yell" this next part out in "all caps"... sorry ... Just try to FEEL the desk pounding emphasis Im putting on the next few sentences.
RADAR IS JUST THE ONE TYPE THAT IS BEST FOR GROUND BASED MISSLES SYSTEMS!!! OF THE ENERGY TYPE IS USE TO TRACK, FIRE, AND GIVE ACCURATE LIVE SCIENTIFIC READING TO ITS TO STOP LOOK ABSORBING OR SCATTER ALL ENERGY!!
I have a bunch more written out on this topic, I'll get it together and post it once im on my PC!
@@kamilb1729Why use EMPs? they are one the worst ways to transfer EM energy! The thermal, concussive, explosive, and nuclear radiation are many facts easier and
more powerful! Modern composite Stealth material absorbs or scatters ALL wavelengths INCLUDING VISIBLE LIGHT!!! But visible light is is horrible at being used for long range targeting. Look at B-2 disappearing and coming down out of nowhere on camera! Telescopic leases are so much better than the human I and even all types of the most powerful land based telescopic cant visually see them easy at all! Radio used to be the best way before stealth because its a highly energetic and focused laser like beam if energetic! Just look up how radio missile tracking works, vs IR, UV, and optical!
How would you know?
Is anyone else hearing the audio issues on this video? It can't be just me right? For those who also are listening with good headphones, is the volume is super soft on the right side for you guys too? It's bad enough for me to not be able to listen to it unless I unplug them and listen with my mono stereo speaker.
B-21s will be the most survivable emergency communication hubs for US and Allied forces should there ever be a "Pearl Harbor" in space.
It 20 years technology advance
Sounds about right. US Space Force isn't a joke - contrary to public sarcasm(s) leveled about the subject.
@@sneakerset they are doing things that the airforce were already doing. I dont know why most people cant understand that.
@@snugglecity3500 absolutely true
They would be rather local in the communication reach without satellites. Also, Starlink has made the “Space Peal Harbor” idea a bit more of a challenge.
How in the hell did you make a GameStop analogy work so well? 😂 Nicely done. Got the point across perfectly!
03:00 was really key. Cheaper to run means the AF will use it a lot more, and probably buy more over time.
It’s really not hard to be cheaper than the B-2.
But it remains to be seen if it really is as affordable they promise. It’s not as affordable as the B-52 or they would have had it replace that as well.
@@TheBooban "It’s really not hard to be cheaper than the B-2."
Wanna bet? There's what Northrup is saying this thing will cost, and then there's what it will end up being when the check comes due. Expect the second number to be considerably higher than the first.
"Leaks less fuel" sweating.
The B-21 is a Quantum Leap in stealth, range, payload, and survivability. B2, lessons learned. Besides invisibility, it is equipped with powerful laser and maser beam weapons for defense. This machine is truly revolutionary.
Third generation stealth bomber (F117, B2, then B-21).. way before any of our adversaries have leaped into their first generation.
The United States is the only partner ally with a bomber. Australia recently jumped in the lead & is very interested in buying a couple B-21's. The B-21 looks like a combination of the F-117 Nighthawk & the B-2.
There is 0% similarities between B21 and F117 nighthawk.
I can assure you the U.S. will never sell any B21's to any other country.
@@totoitekelcha7628 Yes there is the B21 is on time and under budget. The last time that happened, was with the F-117 Nighthawk. All the stealth bombers we have are just technological advances in stealth technology from the first F-117 stealth bomber. The B2 & B21 are like a flatter & sleeker version of it. The B21's windows look very similar to the SR-71.
Not for sale
Won’t happen
Hey just want to let you know that the audio in this is panned hard left, not a big deal for this video but you should probably check what caused it and fix it on the next upload :). right channel is coming through but it's very muted and muffled, and only on your microphone. the music tracks are fine
Timely video. I was just wondering the same thing after it was unveiled the other day. Thanks for answering the question! Great channel.
The biggest question I have about the B-21 is what features of the platform Northrop Grumman considers to be markedly "6th generation" and what will this mean for future 6th generation aircraft.
Let me break down my question:
Firstly, how is 6th generation defined? The line between 4th gen and 5th gen was muddied very quickly. A lot of aircraft now claim to be "4.5" or "4+" or even "4.5+". I think most people would simply say that the difference between the 4th and 5th generations is largely a difference of stealth and advanced data linking, but nonetheless, half-hearted hybrids do exist, at least with retrofitted data linking technologies and some RAM applied to older airframes. As for 6th gen so far, the two things that really stand out about the B-21 is the ability to be piloted remotely and the (relatively, at less than a decade of design time) rapid almost totally digital design process. Which one (or both) will define Generation 6? Will the transition between 5th and 6th gen be just as messy as the one between 4 and 5?
Secondly, while generations have been used for a long time to distinguish ***fighter*** designations, I have never seen it applied to a bomber. It almost seems disjointed from the history of strategic bombers, which besides the B-1 and B-2 all basically did the same thing and can barely be separated into generations. Does this signal a change in thinking, where the B-21 will not be a strategic bomber, but rather a true combat aircraft that serve a variety of roles that would broaden its fit into a wider variety of battlespaces (not just reconnaissance and strategic bombing, but also data linking, battlefield management, etc)? Will the B-21's 6th-generation definition be also applied to fighters? Will common themes run through aircraft of all roles?
Your videos are very well put together, thank you
I've read that B-21 has the original intention of LM for B2; a high altitude stealth bomber. Pentagon wasn't confident in stealth at the time though. So they asked for the low flying capable stealth bomber instead for B2.
I have heard a few seemingly well-informed people, in particular; Defence Minister Marles, Mark Gunzinger of the Mitchell Institute, Mark Hellyer of ASPI, and Pako Benitez editor of The Merge discussing the possibility of Australia acquiring B-21 as part of AUKUS. Potentially to mitigate the capability gap between now and the acquisition of nuclear attack submarines in the coming decades. Are you able you look more deeply into this, and identify if there is any validity to this idea? And if so what the implications, hurdles, and timelines might be?
Great video Alex.
One question I have is about the claim that the B-21 is a 6th gen aircraft. What exactly distinguishes one generation from another, and from 5th gen to 6th gen specifically? And are those differences consistent across both fighters and ground strike aircraft, or are there differences that arise because of the very different missions those platforms serve?
Theres a wikipedia article on it en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixth-generation_fighter
I believe it would be the stealth tech, radar. avionics and fire control systems. and weapons. but I could be wrong.
Honestly with how much is classified we might not know for awhile
Well the B21 shouldn't really be referred to as 6th gen as these 5th/6th gen tag really only applies to fighters, it has however been used more and more in other types of aircraft in recent years, as to what makes a 5th/6th gen aircraft, 5th gen is a few things from advanced radars, sensors, data links, super cruise, super maneuverability but more than anything else its stealth, as for 6th gen, due to the highly classified nature of such programs it's kind of hard to say right now, we do have some idea with things like greater sensor fusion, improved radar absorbent materials, remote pilot capability, significantly greater power generation and possibly the ability to operate with drone wingmen, but truth be told, outside of the programs developing such aircraft there really aren't many people who can answer that question.
@@RM-el3gw The article you shared is about Sixth-Generation Fighters, so some of its traits might not apply to the B-21. But there are others that do, so for those not wanting to go to Wikipedia, here's some typical traits associated with Sixth-Generation Aircraft, taken straight from the article:
*1: Advanced digital capabilities including high-capacity networking, AI, data fusion, cyber warfare, D2D and battlefield command, control and communications (C3) capabilities.*
*2: Optionally manned, with the same airframe capable of conducting piloted, remote controlled or onboard-AI controlled missions.*
*3: Enhanced human-systems integration, with virtual cockpits presented via helmet-mounted displays which allow the pilot 360-degree vision with AI-enhanced battlefield awareness, and replacing conventional instrument panels.*
*4: Advanced stealth airframes and avionics.*
*5: Advanced variable-cycle engines able to cruise economically but still deliver high thrust when required.*
*6: Increased-range stand-off and BVR weapons.*
*7: Potential use of directed-energy weapons such as a laser CIWS.*
Great comparison @Sandboxx enjoyed the Atari vs PS5 graphics, looking forward to your next videos, question would be: How much more undetectable do you think the new B21 is vs B2. Not just RCS but also acoustic and IR?
I've seen numbers as low as 30% of the radar cross section as the B-2 but I don't think anyone has realistic numbers. From what I've been reading over the past few years is that the B-2 has much lower maintenance hours compared to the B-2, a benefit gained from decades testing stealth technology.
The big ask: will it fall from the sky during EMP? One feature to save the mail.
Mr. Hollings, It's good to finally be able to put a face to the name I've been listening to for some time, now. Kudos...and keep up the good work!
Nice to see the face behind the voice! Always love the content, thanks again!
Can’t wait to here more about it from you Alex. Exciting development.
The passion you have for what you do is inspiring. Thanks for sharing it with us.
love the video as always. Is anyone else having audio issues with this video specifically?
I hear more volume in the right than left earphone, I've tried other videos and such and its just this video
It seems that what really defines the latest military aircraft is the networking capabilities and sensor fusion that allows high levels of situational awareness. Also, they allow for the easy upgrade of software and hardware that the F-22 does not afford.
really excited for more info to be released :D
QUESTION - I don't know just how classified this is: IR signature (exhaust treatment). B2 used ceramics, air injection, and spreading. How does the B21 handle it?
Since the B21 exhausts are significantly revised (so much so that they were hidden), one would imagine that fewer “afterthought”measures would have been implemented to reduce heat emissions.
Quite similar to yf23 .inject a Lmanar flow of cool air between high heat gas / material. Usually with some type of radiator / heat exchanger.
One method like with rocket engines is to cool your bell and exhaust glasses. By pumping fuel around it exchanging the heat in the structure to the fuel. Which is now warmer (thermal E + prop = more energetic expanding gas. It expands and litterly carries away that heat (waste heat) but using it to increase bar/psi of propellant the Less power/energy needed to spin n pump it into combustion chamber. So there's an increase , efficiency from thermodynamics standpoints in the jet/rocket engine itself Aswell as the vehicle.
Obviously this is a speculative conceptual exercise. doesn't mean that this being "classified" matters. There's only a hand full of engineering/design theology that can realistically apply.
What counts is exactly how they do it in terms of math(shape size exact numbers & material) kinda like how atomic / therumorclear.
Any physicists/ chemist worth there wait knows how to build one conceptual. But they have never come close to having the knowledge of what is in actual bombs. Or the ability to produce what's needed.
I can talk all days so anyone have any insight I may have missed or more questions lmk
Oh wow it's nice to finally be able to see your face.
The revelation of the B2 with dogs was a bit insane I wonder if they will pull out something similar to it for the B21
I was unaware of the new gen of ramm which is pretty cool thanks for the info!
I have a (possibly stupid) question: if the B-21 is used for its secondary mission of intelligence collection, and by some miracle is spotted or a spy reveals where it is/was, looking at the two options like having an unarmed jet like the SR-71 doing the spying versus using the B-21 that may or may have weapons too, wouldn't the B-21 be more likely to cause a panic reaction from a nuclear power?
another one good video! thanks!
@sandboxx do you foresee the ISR capabilities being a bomb bay payload or integral to the normal sensor suite?
Fuel tank in the bomb bay when optionally crewed?
Question: How is open architecture realized in platforms like the B-21 and what may that look like in tangible terms?
Addition of future weapons/ECM/buddy drones, etc are all baked into the design. It has not only the room, but likely the optimal positioning of these assets ready for their implementation. Software is also setup for rapid rollout rather than block updates
Alex, thanks for your videos and passion. Those are intakes look almost impossible small, especially at high angles of attack. I wonder if they have more intakes on the underside for landing which can be closed off when not needed. It would be another engineering marvel if those intakes are all that's feeding those two engines.
The bottom half of the inlets are hidden from view by the leading edge of the wing.
Is the B-21 using the new Ceramic composite RAM we’ve been hearing about? The white’ish colour looks very similar.
Hi, Alex. Thanks for covering the B-21. Do we know if the RAM coating on this aircraft is of the purported ceramic RAM materials? Apparently capable of withstanding higher speeds and temps than previous materials? Also, is it a photographic "illusion" of sorts, or is this aircraft in fact, grey in color, as opposed to the black coating that we've seen in current stealth aircraft.
Interesting to consider just what this may be capable of and intended for in a broad sense considering the mind-bogglingly enormous leap in computing power between the conception of the B-2, and this aircraft. This may have purposes and capabilities that most of us lack the insight to even ask questions about.
Thank you--Jason.
It's F-35/F-22 grey without the wear marks.
Alex, thanks for the update. Question: is the new RAM coatings compatible with current 5th gen aircraft?
I bet it is.
Nice video Alex! Keep up the good work.
Is the voice audio strongly panned left for everyone else?
I can still here it out the right side but just slightly. Great video and research!
Lots of chatter in the Australian media about the RAAF wanting these. Kendall was positive visiting Canberra in August. RAAF still really misses those F111s.
@Sandboxx what are the program/flight hour cost projections?
If the b-21 no longer requires the climate controlled hangers like the B-2 does, much less to run than the B2.
You have to do a story on the computers that are in these things. They have to be incredibly powerful. I also can’t imagine what the engines will be capable of. Just pure genius building these planes.
Question: does the unveiling give you any insight into the dimensions of the aircraft, and does it at all inform your opinion on characteristics such as range, payload, sensors, velocity etc.
Look up ward carroll yt channel. He had someone on saying it was probably 75% the size of b2 based on the landing gear setup
Yup, Ward has a great vid on it.
@@Aaron-kx7oi Northrop coo said in an interview during the unveil that it was 75% the size of the B2 , didn’t need ward to figure that one out for the internet.
Alex, something happened to the sound.
On my 5.1 system (big one, pc is under the tv in the living room) it's like 80-90% of the loudness is at the front left and the rest is distributed among other 4 speakers. They are so quiet that i need to stand directly in front of them.
So, living near Dyess AFB and having the B-1s flying about quite often, what are some of the differences you would expect once the B-21s begin service?
No more B-1s flying around D:
@@JacopoSkydweller - true, but not overnight. And I wonder what the flights will be like, as it’s not the main training base. Guess we’ll find out soon enough
Could it possibly be using the ceramic-based RAM the universities were researching a couple years ago?
Sure looks and matches original assumptions and designs for ATB, before USAF thrown in wrench called 'low level penetration' for B-2 and dragged time and cost. Obviously, it has broader roles, is thoroughly updated for modern manufacturing techniques.
i worked on a project to put lighting in the B2 hangars and need to clear something up - PART of the problem with the RAM being damaged wasn't in fact that its so susceptible TO damage - which is true compared to the new RAM for sure - but it was because of maintenance and this is where the story gets stupid. I was asked to offer lighting that needed to be rated for explosive/combustible fumes (e.g. jet fuel) and to build lighting like this it uses huge aluminum heatsinks. Consider how high up those lights are as well and the ligthing needs to be high wattage (250W PSMH, etc.) The problem was that when the folks working on them lit up the engines the WHOLE place would shake like an earthquake causing these 80lb lighting fixtures to FALL RIGHT ONTO THE PLANES. This was an ongoing problem for years that we worked on from the lighting standpoint for a WHILE and consider too that gas lamps like PSMH or fluorescent, both prone to failure, were really the only option until we started working on it about 10 years ago - not because LED's didn't exist, they did, but they weren't bright enough and broad enough until about then to illuminate to a reasonable level from that height above the planes. So my point is that this wasn't ONLY a case of fragile RAM but also the conditions of the hangars and how they were worked on - a whole process that needed improvement along with facilities upgrades which the B2 only really recently started to benefit from.
Lol, amazing detail. Thx for letting us know about this.
Interesting. Thx for sharing.
I guess the chinese encountered the same circumstances when they worked on the stolen models.
Alex I have read one reason for the unveiling was to comply with the New Start Treaty or maybe something similar. Are you aware of any agreements requiring a visual unveiling for strategic bombers and if so at what point during development or manufacturing ?
The GameStop reference is the best analogy I've ever heard in my life lol.
Love that Game Stop analogy - great example.
Alex, I liked the Gamestop analogy. Well done...☺
This is the first video I happened to have listened to on my Headphones, and it has audio mixing issues. I can hear you 2-3 times louder out of my left ear when compared to my right. Might be only this video, I haven't gone back to rewatch and check others. Thought you should know.
"Is the F-22 just an upgraded F-15?"
Alex, do youthink the new RAM is the ceramic one you discussed on a prior video? Is that the reason for the lighter color?
HEY ALEX, IM INTERESTED THEN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE B21 and the RQ-180....THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT INTEL!
Thanks for the clarification. I thought the B-21 was pretty much the same, just a 2022 model.
Nicely-paced narration.
I mean, cool sentiment and all, but it is literally a B-2 replacement and it’s basic design architecture is directly related to and compared to the spirit incessantly. Not to mention that the B-2’s retirement nearly aligns with the fleet wide IOC goal for the B-21.
Are there any videos of it from any other angle than the front
Would love to see the control centre for the unmanned version, if its flown pre-programmed or controlled by a pilot on the ground
Yeah man, I get so sick of seeing, or hearing rather, people making comments like, "it's just a waste of defense spending" or "why do we need a new Bomber, what's wrong with the one we got?" A lot of folks just don't understand how defense system development works. We use systems/platforms until upgrading them just doesn't cut it anymore with regards to the rising threats, and then that's when it's time to design and build something new. And like you said, when the B-2 was being developed, MS-DOS was just coming out. Windows was still a few years away. My first PC in '91 had Windows 3.1 on it.
I'm a student of military history. I have been interested in military engagements and hardware since I was a little kid. Like 6 years old me. I'm 49 now. I ended up getting a History Degree in '96. I tried to focus on the Military History courses, but they weren't quite line out that way, but alas it is what it is. However my point is that in times of war is when you see the most rapid advances in weaponry and technology in not only military applications but in everyday civilian life as well, because military tech often bleeds over to civilian use. Night vision goggles for example...Infrared cameras. Stuff like that, ya know?
Like during WWI and WWII, the rapid technological advances in tanks, planes, and even ships was astounding. Especially planes. They went from Fairy Swordfish Bi-plane bombers early in the war to the first jet fighters by late war. All in just 6 years. The fact that we're still using 70 year old B-52s is actually insane when you think about it. Those should have been phased out once the B-1 Lancer came on the scene in the 80s. And then the B-2 should have replaced the B-1 as it was planned to, but the B-1s speed and bomb capacity still made it worthwhile to keep. Same reason the A-10 is still around, for different purposes of course, but you get the idea. I guess if you find one platform that excels at one particular role well, I guess you keep it. The B-52 is just a good ol' capable bomber that can really lay down the heat when needed.
The problem with the B-2 has always been its $2+ Billion cost per plane. And like you said, high maintenance cost due to its RAM. The B-21 is gonna cost a third of the B-2 and have lower maintenance costs. Win - Win I'd say, just on that alone.
So relax penny pinchers and skeptics, I think this bomber is going to be s good investment down the line. The plan is to build at least 100 of them up to 200 from what I heard in another video, so if nothing else, we will be able to overwhelm the enemy in swarm numbers. In Chinese Forces channel video I ran across today about the B-21, it was so full of Chinese propaganda narrated by computer voice, that it was laughable in what they were saying about it. Saying that it was not new and stemmed from a weak America, etc etc . Such nonsense. I actually reported the channel for misinformation. 🤣
An upgraded B2 is far from an insult.
QUESTION: Will the B2 Spirit and other last generation stealth aircraft RAM be updated with the new highly classified RAM coatings?
Most likely not, the B-21 is supposed to replace the B-2 and B-1, so I think not.
The Raptor in the other hand has a different thing going on with it's Coatings, it just doesn't look the same to what the B-21 has.
But I do think there's a possibility that the F-35 may get this new RAM Coating, or maybe I'm just wishing it to happen.
The B-21s ordinance payload is less that of it's older B-2 brother. Does this imply it has other weapons beyond traditional kinetic ( like directed energy microwave, etc. )
They update all of the aircraft throughout their lifetime of service. Even the modest KC-135 1960s era tanker has battle network equipment on it and modern updated avionics on it.
I'm curious to see how well the B21 fills a roll that we had kicked around in my day, which was a modified 747 that would just loiter 24/7 at a high altitude full of precision munitions and multiple air crews, to provide instant ground support battle networking.
Speculative Analysis:
- It's about 10% smaller in wingspan and about 25% smaller in overall volume (largely thinner wings)
- the front to back length, and vertical thickness, of the central portion will be similar to the B-2
- the center section will taper back to a single point, instead of the B-2's three points
- the intakes are recessed into the top of the wing, and should become impossible to see from even a modest altitude advantage
- other wing-profile & sweep geometry similar to B-2, possibly a bit sharper sweep to the wings
- the cockpit windows will have dramatically better RCS characteristics
- the coating appears to be a matte finish version of the "chrome look" treatment which has been spotted on F-22 and F-35 test aircraft recently
(some of us have a pretty clear idea what that is, but I'm not going to perpetuate headaches for DARPA's security, even though the cat is out of the bag)
- the coating is "extremely" durable, and temperature agnostic
- overall RCS will be nearly nonexistent, probably an order of magnitude smaller than the RCS of the B-2 (which already has the smallest RCS in the world)
- IR stealth will be significantly improved (and it's already very good on the B-2)
- it has two modified P&W F135 engines without afterburner (aprox 56,000 - 60,000 lbf total), likely with additional bypass & air mixing
- it will almost certainly get upgraded to two modified GE XA-100 engines without afterburner (essentially taking them from 3-cycle to 2-cycle, both mil-power)
- it will retain the two rotary launcher capacity of the B-2. Max payload in weight will be down a bit, but still 16 high-end "gift packages".
- range & altitude will be similar to the B-2, but likely modestly improved a bit
(I don't believe the published range & altitude stats on the B-2, and I expect similar obfuscation on the B-21)
- I'd give it considerably higher than 50/50 odds, that it will have a laser (somewhere above the 100 kw range)
- when it gets the XA-100 engines, the capacitor charge rate of the laser will improve significantly
- I imagine it will have some very fancy & novel DAS capabilities, and likely will want to control nearby drones
- I don't see any visible radar or sensor seams. It may just ask drones or satellites for sensor data. But probably has at least a distributed EOTS type system (like the F-35's 360 degree suite)
- I would expect significantly improved LF/VLF RCS characteristics
- the top geometry in the fuselage section addresses "an issue" which the B-2 has.
- it might use horizontal thrust vectoring and/or split throttle control to greatly reduce the need for the splitting flaps which the B-2 uses. Those aren't very efficient, nor ideal for stealth.
- I'm sure it will still need the option to call for pre-fogging the runway for takeoff, because a bug splatter on the windshield would have more RCS than the plane itself.
- it probably has a few of the same parts as the B-2 (a landing gear wheel perhaps, or a cockpit seat, etc).
- $700m sounds about right (IF they actually buy all 100 of them, if not, the price will skyrocket). And the B-2 would have cost similar (to purchase anyway), but R&D spread across only 21 units made the B-2 crazy expensive. The reduced long term upkeep costs will really help it be much more affordable in the long run.
(lest people unfamiliar with planes get sticker-shock, the Boeing 777 airliner you got a seat on to honeymoon in Maui costs about the same)
- now that I see that it will be more capable in every way than a B-2, with similar range & payload, at much lower upkeep cost, I do think the B-2 will get retired (when it was rumored to only have one rotary launcher and be substantially smaller, I was skeptical of the B-2 retiring).
How often is it likely to be flown manned vs unmanned?
Thought I went a bit deaf in my right ear for a bit there. Was yawning to try pop it haha.
Alex you are the man!!
How do you think the new air intakes of the Raider will work compared with B2
I would also like to know more about the engine intakes. They look much smaller or flatter compared to the B2.
Great Video!
Can this stealthcoating be applied to older aircraft or has it to be designed to wield it?
Stealth Tomcat / Ultra Eagle/ Ghost Hornet....
All three of those planes have way too big of a radar cross section to make use of RAM. It would just be a massive waste of money and time for the planes that cant even benefit from it. RAM doesnt work the way you think it does.
My left ear did in fact enjoy this, my right ear was a little upset about this, though.
What do you think the back/exhaust design looks like?
Got to love US defence tech! China has "awoken a sleeping giant" -Thanks for all the excellent analysis and info you keep serving up!
It’ll be a stealthy AWACS when needed.
And I got $20 that says it has visual cloaking abilities and they just aren’t telling us… invisible to radar and the human eye
Do you think the US will allow an aircraft this advanced to be sold to Australia as I've seen mentioned? Of course having a wing of them stationed there would be helpfull but I wonder if there will be caveats or downgrades.
Nope.. they never allowed Aus to even get the F22.
@@miketran4289 no one is allowed to purchase f 22s
They said they are open to the idea of selling them it
Mmm. Not sure. F22's werent but the tech for that is 30 years ago when it was impossible to replicate unless their were defectors or stolen directly from manufacuters and engineers.
The raider could be sold but I doubt everything IN it would be.
Noting that the F-35 set the precedent of allowing many nations to operate the airframe with software defining varying levels of capability based on operator. It seems like the releasabilty barriers to transferring the B-21 should be relatively minimal. Also consider that Australia is the only foreign operator of the F/A-18G Growler which is very sensitive due to it's Electronic Attack capabilities.
Nice antique books on your right.
Just want to mention that there is unevenness in the sound profile. The left ear gets more sound than the right.
I am looking forward to seeing all the top secret goodies in this B21 Raider.
Thrust to weight ratios comparison ??? Thks
Yes, in the same way that the Super Hornet is just an upgraded Hornet.
Given the the ram on the raider is more durable do you think the ram used could be the ceramic ram coating we’ve heard about?
Those front windows are sick it looks like a ghost!
Funny thing about the b2. The tail was changed to fly at low altitude. Because the pentagon was worried the stealth wouldn't work. So the b21 is actually made to fly at a higher altitude because theirs no worry, tech works.
which books do you have on the shelf behind you?
I know the max. bomb load is open for some debate....
but, trying to get a sense if the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) is likely to be in the arsenal? B-2 can carry 2... do we think the 21 will be big enough to carry 1?
if, as reported, the B-21 is twin engined, how come the inlets seem to have a splitter?
Where did you get that F-14 3 pc picture?
Will this bomber be the first Mach 1+ by using dual cycle engines and is a flying wing capable of flying super sonic efficiently? Love your content!
Going supersonic is super unlikely, it would make its IR signature spike significantly
Great analogy
"Is the B-21 Raider just an upgraded B-2 Spirit?"
I don't know but please stop yelling into my left ear. 🤣
B21 raider can be upgraded in software in the future, it has an open “architecture “ it is capable of cloud computing.
I want to know more about what it looks like from different sides
There are tons of basic specs that we still don't know ... how many engines ? What type of jet engine ? Max payload ? The shape of the rear section ? The shape of the wing ?
Hey Alex, big fan here in the land down under. We’re seeing reports that the b21 may be purchased by Australia or at least based here given the pivot from the Middle East to Asia. What are you thoughts, do you think Guam and other bases will suffice or will they look at anchoring them in the Northern Territory at Darwin or Tindal AFB? What could that tell us about the B21’s combat range(which I’m sure is officially classified)?
Cheers
You should see the B-21 everywhere where the current B2 is seen. Will they be approved for FMS.. no.
The United States is the only partner ally with a bomber. Australia recently jumped in the lead & is very interested in buying a couple B-21's. Australia seems like the preferred partner in the program mainly because of AUKUS but there's also NATO allies interested.
I would love to get more detail on this aspect of the program. Serious people including think-tankers at ASPI and Hudson Institute have suggested that B-21 might help mitigate the gap in strike capability Australia has right now. It is also worth noting that approximately $1billion is being spent on upgrading the runway and aprons at Tindal to accommodate B-52 basing and maintenance. Tindal is pretty ideally located for a bomber force wanting to hold targets in the SCS at risk.
@@eeroala5132 While acknowledging the massive difficulty of getting FMS cases approved, it would be an ideal program to push under the AUKUS framework. It would give the U.S. more survivable forward basing while also providing proof that the U.S. is committed to its allies, and helping those allies build capability at a time when that proof is sorely needed.
@@eeroala5132 you could easily argue that because we (and every other ally nation) didn’t get B2’s then surely they wouldn’t give us a new B21, but I think the circumstances could change if things deteriorated in the South China Sea and if they intend on having anymore than a handful of US b21’s based here. From that perspective surely it’d make sense to have Australia help shoulder the service/logistical and cost burden by in turn selling and operating a few here. I know the US would be understandably terrified of the risk of that technology falling into the wrong hands but they would only ever operate with the full support of other US/nato operations anyways.
Can you elaborate more on its networking ability? I've heard its suppose to be connected to everything on the battlefield. Reminds me of JTIDS and some of the stuff I saw in my time with JSTARS. What I saw in the early 2000's blew me away. Man the stuff they must have now, must be mind blowing 🤯🤯
Stealthy and loaded with radios transmitting to connect to everyone are kind of contradictory concepts.
@@k53847 The B-21 could use a quick radio signal to a drone which then broadcasts the information. Radio signals can be very focused.
Do you think the b21 could be using morphing wing technology instead of traditional control surfaces?
Good video and all but the audio doesn’t sound right to me. Idk if it’s my problem or yours
Will the B21 have an export ban, similar to F22?
Can you do an analysis on the costs per hour of flight?
When do you think it will be in operational service?
Love your videos, can you tell me what the RCS is? 😂
Looks like ceramic huh?
It sounds like there are some serious balancing issues with the audio.