US Unveils $700m Stealth Bomber in Show of Power
The US has rolled out its next-gen stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, at Northrop Grumman’s California facility in a glitzy ceremony packed with top officials on Friday.
Massive Investment Amid Rising Tensions
The US Air Force plans to snap up at least 100 of these cutting-edge jets, each carrying a whopping $700 million price tag, a Northrop Grumman spokesperson confirmed.
The debut comes as US-China tensions soar over Taiwan and the ongoing war in Ukraine, turning up the heat on global power plays.
Russia and China Show Military Muscle
- In a bold move, Russian and Chinese strategic bombers flew an eight-hour joint patrol over the western Pacific.
- China’s Defence Ministry called it a “routine” mission to boost defence ties with Russia.
- Both nations are racing to develop their own stealth bombers – China’s Xian H-20 and Russia’s nuclear-capable Tupolev PAK DA – aiming to rival the new B-21.
Advanced Tech but No Pilotless Flights—Yet
The B-21 can technically fly without a pilot onboard. However, the US Air Force said it’s only “provisioned for the possibility” with no firm decision to go crewless.
“The B-21 Raider is the first strategic bomber in more than three decades,” said US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. “No other long-range bomber can match its efficiency.”
