At least 174 new strategic bombers, but we recommend 200. It has not yet entered into production, but for the B-21 the military has clear ideas: a fleet of 100 aircraft is deemed not able to meet the Pentagon's projection demands on the globe. Thesis also confirmed byAir Force Global Strikes which specifies: "the term fixed to exemplary 100 must be interpreted as a lower limit requirement".
The Air Force secretary will have to present a report to the Congress Defense Committees by next February 1, with the exact estimate of the B-21 needed to meet the Pentagon's demands. The report should also include a detailed transition plan up to the 2040. Currently the B-21 is still relevant to the Rapid Capabilities Office, which oversees Air Force classified projects such as the X-37B. Translated means that Congress does not have the power to supervise the actual costs of the program. The RCO is exempt from the controls of US legislators.
Each bomber will cost 500 / 550 million dollars. The initial acquisition was of 100 aircraft for a total expenditure of 55 billion dollars. The acquisition program for the B-21, on the other hand, will realistically reach one hundred billion dollars.
(photo: web - the old B-2 assembly line)
