Current B-2 air base to become second home for USAF's new B-21 Raider bomber
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has selected Whiteman AFB in Missouri as the second location to host the new Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber.
The news was released on social media, according to Air Force Magazine. Whiteman was already the favorite to receive the 6th generation jets, but was competing with Dyess AFB in Texas, which will also have the B-21 later.
Whiteman AFB is the only USAF base to operate the B-2 Spirit, the current stealth bomber, which has 19 aircraft in service after two examples were lost in accidents.
The B-21 will first be deployed to Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, where the B-1 Lancer bombers are currently stationed. There is no timetable for the change to occur.
The new US strategic bomber is under development with a plan to enter service by the middle of the decade.
As far as is known, only one aircraft has been completed and flew in November of last year. The B-21 is currently at Edwards, undergoing testing while Northrop Grumman finishes assembling five other bombers at Plant 42 in California.
The Air Force plans to produce at least 100 Raider bombers, hence the need for three air bases to house them.
However, advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence and combat drones may make the B-21 less essential within a few years.
The USAF is already showing signs that it may modify or even terminate the NGAD program, which will give rise to a 6th generation fighter to replace the F-22 Raptor.
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