TEKNOLOGI KETENTERAAN | PENERBANGAN | Northrop Grumman Corporation dengan kerjasama Tentera Udara Amerika Syarikat (AS) bakal memperkenalkan pesawat pengebom terbaharu B-21 Raider pada minggu pertama Disember 2022 di kemudahan syarikat Palmdale, California.
Syarikat itu dalam kenyataan media pada 20 September 2022 berkata pelancaran B-21 Raider bakal menjadi detik bersejarah, memberikan pemandangan eksklusif pesawat B-21.
"B-21 ialah pesawat tentera paling canggih pernah dibina dan merupakan produk perintis inovasi dan kecemerlangan teknologi," kata Naib Presiden Sektor dan Pengurus Besar, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems Doug Young.
"The Raider mempamerkan dedikasi dan kemahiran beribu-ribu orang yang bekerja setiap hari untuk menghantar pesawat ini."
Sejak penganugerahan kontrak pada 2015, Northrop Grumman mengumpulkan pasukan di seluruh negara untuk mereka bentuk, menguji dan membina pesawat mogok paling canggih di dunia.
B-21 ialah produk daripada amalan kejuruteraan digital perintis Northrop Grumman dan teknik pembuatan termaju bersama-sama dengan teknologi 'stealth'.
"Northrop Grumman berbangga dengan perkongsian kami dengan Tentera Udara A.S. semasa kami menghantar B-21 Raider, pesawat generasi keenam yang dioptimumkan untuk operasi dalam persekitaran yang sangat mencabar," kata Naib Presiden Korporat dan Presiden, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, Tom Jones.
Enam pesawat ujian B-21 sedang dalam pelbagai peringkat pemasangan terakhir di Palmdale, California.
Northrop Grumman dan Tentera Udara AS mengesahkan pada Mei 2022 bahawa penerbangan pertama B-21 diunjurkan untuk 2023. Masa sebenar penerbangan pertama akan berdasarkan hasil ujian darat.
Pelancaran bakal berlangsung di tapak Palmdale Northrop Grumman, semasa acara jemputan sahaja.
Northrop Grumman ialah sebuah syarikat teknologi, memfokuskan pada keselamatan global dan penemuan baharu.
"Penyelesaian perintis kami melengkapkan pelanggan kami dengan keupayaan yang mereka perlukan untuk berhubung, memajukan dan melindungi AS dan sekutunya.
"Didorong oleh tujuan bersama untuk menyelesaikan masalah paling sukar pelanggan kami, 90,000 pekerja kami mentakrifkan kemungkinan setiap hari," katanya.
Berikut adalah kenyataan media:
Northrop Grumman to Unveil the B-21 Raider
Credit: Northrop Grumman
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Sept. 20, 2022 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, will unveil the B-21 Raider during the first week of December at the company’s Palmdale, California facility.
The B-21 Raider unveiling will be a historic moment, providing an exclusive view of the B-21 aircraft.
“The B-21 is the most advanced military aircraft ever built and is a product of pioneering innovation and technological excellence,” said Doug Young, sector vice president and general manager, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems. “The Raider showcases the dedication and skills of the thousands of people working every day to deliver this aircraft.”
Since contract award in 2015, Northrop Grumman has assembled a nationwide team to design, test and build the world’s most advanced strike aircraft. The B-21 is a product of Northrop Grumman’s pioneering digital engineering practices and advanced manufacturing techniques together with breakthrough stealth technology.
“Northrop Grumman is proud of our partnership with the U.S. Air Force as we deliver the B-21 Raider, a sixth-generation aircraft optimized for operations in highly contested environments,” said Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems.
Six B-21 test aircraft are in various stages of final assembly in Palmdale, California. Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force confirmed in May that the B-21 first flight is projected for 2023. The actual timing of first flight will be based on ground test outcomes.
The unveiling will take place at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale site, during an invitation-only event.
Northrop Grumman is a technology company, focused on global security and human discovery. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with capabilities they need to connect, advance and protect the U.S. and its allies. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our 90,000 employees define possible every day.
#B-21Raider #Stealth
What is the B-21?
The B-21 Raider is a new high-tech stealth bomber being developed to replace the Air Force’s aging bomber fleet.
Designed to be long-range, highly survivable and capable of carrying a mix of conventional and nuclear ordnance, the B-21 will join the nuclear triad as a visible and flexible nuclear deterrent; supporting national security objectives and assuring our nation’s allies and partners.
Why is the B-21 named Raider?
At the 2016 Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, then-Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James announced the B-21 would be named “Raider” alongside Lt. Col. Dick Cole, the last surviving airman from the famous Doolittle Raid.
According to the Air Force, “the Doolittle Raiders are known for their surprise attack against Japan during World War II on April 18, 1942, which forced the Japanese to recall combat forces for home defense and boosted morale among Americans and U.S. allies abroad. James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein selected the name from more than 2,000 naming submissions.”
What role will the aircraft play?
As adversaries continue to invest in and develop advanced weapons, the B-21 Raider will provide the United States with a strategic asset capable of penetrating enemy air defenses and reaching targets anywhere in the world — something approximately 90 percent of the nation’s current bomber fleet is incapable of doing.
Why does America need a new stealth bomber?
Currently only 10 percent of our nation’s bomber force is capable of penetrating advanced adversary air defenses. As our adversaries have continued investing heavily in sophisticated technologies and weapons platforms that leave them free to act maliciously or extend their reach, a new bomber is critical to deterring potential adversaries, reassuring allies and keeping our nation safe.
In a War College podcast, combat strategist and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula said, “The B-21 will provide the kind of payload, range and penetrability that our current force of B-1s, B-52s and, to a small degree, B-2s, cannot accomplish.”
How many B-21s will be made?
The U.S. Air Force has stated plans to acquire at least 100 aircraft. Some defense analysts believe that the Air Force should plan to purchase at least 200 B-21s.
Which bases will host the B-21 and when?
The U.S. Air Force identified Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB), South Dakota; Dyess AFB, Texas; and Whiteman AFB, Missouri as potential hosts for the B-21 Raider. Ellsworth AFB has been selected as the preferred basing location for the first B-21 main operating base and formal training unit, and Dyess AFB as the alternate.
A final decision is expected in 2021 following compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory and planning processes.
The Air Force has selected Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, to coordinate maintenance and sustainment of the B-21 Raider, and Edwards AFB, California, to lead testing and evaluation of the aircraft.
The Air Force has stated it expects first aircraft deliveries in mid-2020s.
Will the program create jobs?
While we cannot speak to specific job figures due to the classification of the program, it will undoubtedly support thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the country.
When will the B-21 go into production? When will it be fielded?
Due to the program’s classified nature, the U.S. Air Force has not publicly shared a production schedule. The Air Force has stated that the initial test aircraft is currently in production at Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing facility in Palmdale, Calif. The Air Force has stated it expects first aircraft deliveries in mid-2020s.
What experience does Northrop Grumman have that makes it the best candidate to build the B-21?
Northrop Grumman is the world leader in stealth technology and is the only company to ever develop, build, sustain and modernize a stealthy, long-range strike aircraft: the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
The company also develops and implements the key, all-aspect stealth components for next-generation aircraft such as the F-35, and we are also behind some of the nation’s most advanced unmanned systems, including the X-47B and Global Hawk.
What does winning the B-21 program mean for Northrop Grumman?
The B-21 is a critical capability to maintain our nation’s security, and we are honored to continue our nearly four-decade partnership with the U.S. Air Force designing, building and maintaining advanced long-range bombers. We are fully committed to executing this program effectively and efficiently, on time and on budget. As the only company to have designed, built, delivered and sustained a stealth bomber, we are honored to build the next one.
Source : Northrop Grumman
