This is Northrop's way of using a whole lot of words describing it without telling you anything that would actually inform you about anything classified or sensitive of nature about the said aircraft that has just made it's first flight. I'm still waiting for the chase plane footage to be released.
AF was not going to release official photos of taxi tests etc, so you go figure...
Yes, Northrop Grumman can't release anything without Air Force permission.
I haven't read anything concerning the choice of size of the B-21, but I suspect it was driven by the powerplant. Unlike most US aircraft programs, it appears B-21 did not use/require new engine development, instead using something relatively off the shelf (rumored to be PW9000/militarized PW1000 geared turbofan). I read somewhere that everything in the B-21 was TRL6 or better, which means the engine would have to be a pre developed item more or less. So I think the output of the chosen engine, combined somewhat with the desired range (noted as a very high priority requirement for the LRS-B program) determined the size and weight of the aircraft.
RCS is largely unrelated to size and larger is better in some respects (e.g. against low frequency radars).
Right now my theory is that NG switch from 4 engine into 2 engine config which reduce fuel and space requirements, which at the end drive the cost down.
I'd read somewhere that the B-21 was using F135s without afterburners, though that would be horribly inefficient. A couple of high bypass turbofans would be so much better for the job.
Eh, you might be surprised what efficiency looks like at high-altitudes with higher bypass ratios. I wouldn't be stunned if it has a bigger fan on a F135-core, but I would still be surprised (if it is in fact based on a F135).
Well, as @F119Doctor explained to me, the typical Supercruise engine means a relatively high mass flow core with a low(er) Overall Pressure Ratio than works well for subsonic cruise. Subsonic cruise wants a relatively small core with a high OPR, driving a larger fan.
Generally sound, but like most things is always more complicated.
Given the very short development timeline, I strongly doubt that the engines are totally new.
Few fighter engines even hit 1:1 bypass ratios... F414s are only 0.25:1, for example!
Author did some subtle details cleaning though (but we can't blame him for that).
I say this with all respect to Sweetman, who I am sure has more credible people whispering in his ear than me (who has none), it would still surprise me.
That looks pretty good to me.
Sweep angle is 35, not 40. Distortion due to most spotters position play tricks. Hence while wingspan is 48 m, lenght is less, about 20-21 m.
No, they are VERY not the same.
