Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider (LRS-B)

[Hydroman]

Can you stop this useless what-if may be perhaps possible designation off-topic?
AF didn't have to redesignate any of B-2 test AVs.

Yes flateric, the USAF rotates a single B-2 (from the various tail numbers) through flight test when need be, primarily when upgrading the aircraft, mainly for systems upgrades, they don't re-designate.

 

[NUSNA_Moebius]

With cost savings experienced in the program, and potential increased procurement numbers, has there been any new talks of US allies purchasing the B-21?

 

[FighterJock]

Despite the US trying to get the Austrailians to buy some there has been no further attempts at allies buying the B-21, which is a pity as Northrop should be pushing for sales.

 

[Scott Kenny]

With cost savings experienced in the program, and potential increased procurement numbers, has there been any new talks of US allies purchasing the B-21?

I can't see a whole lot of countries wanting to drop some $500mil/plane on a dozen or two airframes.

 

[Josh_TN]

I can't see a whole lot of countries wanting to drop some $500mil/plane on a dozen or two airframes.

…and I cannot see most countries even being allowed to. There is probably a mountain of sensitive technology in that airframe.

 

[NMaude]

I can't see a whole lot of countries wanting to drop some $500mil/plane on a dozen or two airframes.

If the B-21 is produced in large numbers (200+) then I can see Australia or the UK being sold second-hand early-production B-21s as they become available.

…and I cannot see most countries even being allowed to. There is probably a mountain of sensitive technology in that airframe.

This! Perhaps UK, Australia or Canada.

 

[In_A_Dream]

Australia & the UK don't necessarily need the B-21, they can use an unmanned platform that can integrate with the B-21s.

 

[NMaude]

Australia & the UK don't necessarily need the B-21, they can use an unmanned platform that can integrate with the B-21s.

True but IIRC the B-21 is designed to be flown without a crew onboard. Also a piloted aircraft has more flexibility than a UCAV.

 

[sferrin]

True but IIRC the B-21 is designed to be flown without a crew onboard. Also a piloted aircraft has more flexibility than a UCAV.

I sure hope not. We don't need one landing in China.

 

[Foo Fighter]

If the B-21 is produced in large numbers (200+) then I can see Australia or the UK being sold second-hand early-production B-21s as they become available.



This! Perhaps UK, Australia or Canada.

I do not see the price coming down to 50p and a half chewed Everton mint so, not a real starter, for ten or anything else........

 

[bring_it_on]

I can't see a whole lot of countries wanting to drop some $500mil/plane on a dozen or two airframes.

And the cost will never be $500 Million in purchase year dollars. All said, any B-21 FMS for new build airframes will come with a unit cost of $800 Million to $1 Billion or basically the cost of a Frigate that some of those Navies are also buying.

 

[Scott Kenny]

And the cost will never be $500 Million in purchase year dollars. All said, any B-21 FMS for new build airframes will come with a unit cost of $800 Million to $1 Billion or basically the cost of a Frigate that some of those Navies are also buying.

Excellent point.

Especially about the "costing as much as a Frigate" side of the equation.

 

[Kerburettor]

Is the B-21 expected to have an astro-inertial navigation system like the B-2? It would make sense due to the necessity of operating in potentially GPS-denied environments and it being a long-range & high-altitude bomber would make using this technology sensible IMO.

 

[_Del_]

I sure hope not. We don't need one landing in China.

Pretty sure that was nixed early to ease cost and the development timeline, but they did talk about it

 

[Scott Kenny]

True but IIRC the B-21 is designed to be flown without a crew onboard.

They looked at that early on, then decided it didn't save enough money. Once a plane is the size of a B-21, the cockpit is a minimal cost/weight portion of the total aircraft.

 

[NMaude]

Once a plane is the size of a B-21, the cockpit is a minimal cost/weight portion of the total aircraft.

Good point! Now what I'd like to know is will the B-21's cockpit have structural provision for a third aircrew position like the B-2A does?

 

[Hydroman]

Good point! Now what I'd like to know is will the B-21's cockpit have structural provision for a third aircrew position like the B-2A does?

I don't think so, the B-2 3rd man provision was not required plus you had and have a good level of automation and the DMS works well (from experience) and they gained a crew rest area. The B-21 will do just fine with two crew members, much more evolved automation and I am pretty sure a kick-ass DMS (probably evolved ZSR combos) or other new tech. Now for long missions, the USAF may have left room for a crew rest area in the B-21.

 

[flateric]

It's clearly seen by escape hatches markings and UARSSI lead stripes position that it has no provisions for a third crew member.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Good point! Now what I'd like to know is will the B-21's cockpit have structural provision for a third aircrew position like the B-2A does?

I'd expect at least a jump seat for an instructor, but I don't believe it's got an ejection seat spot.

 

[flateric]

B-2 flies without jump seat since the beginning. What all these sims are built for?
(And why do you hate instructor pilots so much?)