B-21 weapon system undergoes critical design review
NewsDecember 11, 2018
WASHINGTON. The U.S. Air Force B-21 Raider program conducted a critical design review on its weapon systems November 28-30, 2018. The event served as a multidisciplined technical review to ensure the Air Force?s newest bomber has a stable and mature design as the program moves forward into manufacturing and flight test.
“The Air Force is pleased with how the program is moving forward,” says Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson. “The B-21 Raider program is on the right track to make continued progress over the next few years as it now transitions from the design phase into a robust manufacturing phase that will ultimately produce our first B-21 test aircraft.”
The B-21 Program is run by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, and its program executive officer, Mr. Randall Walden, is confident in the B-21's path forward.
“This critical design event is key to maturing the design of the new bomber and to identifying risks that are consistent with all large acquisition programs across the DoD,” said Walden. “We are excited about where the program is today and we’re looking ahead to actively manage the program to first flight.”
The B-21 bomber is a long range aircraft designed to operate in future anti-access, area denial environments. The B-21 is expected to begin delivering initial capability in the mid-2020s.
