New B-21 Raider bomber makes its first flight in the USA (VIDEO)
Its development was carried out in the strictest secrecy
The American strategic bomber B-21 Raider has made its maiden flight.
Source. It is reported by Reuters.
On Friday, at about 07:00 local time (18:00 Kyiv time), the aircraft left the airfield of the Plant 42 enterprise of the American corporation Northrop Grumman in Palmdale (California), which allowed the first sighting of the new bomber, which was developed in the strictest secrecy.
The U.S. Air Force did not publicize the first flight of the B-21, but about three dozen aviation fans and amateur photographers were present at the company and saw the B-21 Raider fly. The bomber is on its way to Edwards Air Force Base in California, where it will undergo flight tests at the Air Force Test Center.
The B-21 will be able to deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons around the world, using long-range and aerial refueling capabilities.
According to the agency, one such aircraft will cost about $750 million.
Northrop Grumman calls the B-21 Raider the world's first sixth-generation aircraft that can "penetrate enemy air defenses and reach targets anywhere in the world," which is not possible with 90% of the current US bomber fleet.
The US Department of Defense and the company signed a contract for the development of this aircraft in 2015. More than 8,000 people and more than 400 suppliers from 40 states worked on the project. The US Air Force planned to purchase at least 100 of these bombers.
Background. As a reminder, the Netherlands sent 5 F-16 fighters to Romania to train Ukrainian pilots.
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