During the annual conference of theAir Force AssociationThe name of the new B-19 strategic bomber will be unveiled next September in the Harbor of Maryland, just south of Washington, to be held between 21 and 21.
Last February, during the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, the first was unveiled rendering of the Long Range Strike Bomber. rendering is based on the concept of initial design.
The B-21 designation identifies the LRS-B as the first 21 century bomber. The B-21 was designed from the outset based on a series of requirements that allow the use of pre-existing technology. That's why the B-21 is very similar to the B-2.
It will be up to our military - Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James - said from Orlando find a battle name for him.
4600 were the names suggested to the Air Force, then skimmed at 15. Among the most suggestive names proposed Super Spirit, Sky Dragon, Achilles, Nighthawk II, Marauder II, Vengeance, Ghost, Shadow, Apollo. He or those who proposed the chosen name will be invited to the ceremony. The Pentagon clarifies that exploitation of the name will not bring any financial benefit.
The B-21 is developed by Northrop Grumman, which won on the proposal of the flying wing advanced by the Boeing / Lockheed Martin team. The first Air Force contract provides for the purchase of five lots for a total of 21 aircraft at the cost of 21,4 billion dollars. The Air Force plans to reach the Initial Operational Capacity by the middle of the 2020.
Each bomber will cost 564 million dollars for a fleet of 100 next-generation aircraft and a total cost of 55 billion dollars.
