BLUF
B-21 names the Raider after the Doolittle Raiders, the implication being that distance is no protection against the B-21.Summary
Stephen Losey writing in the US magazine Defense News makes the following points:
- Dubbed the Raider after the famous Doolittle Raiders who conducted a long-distance strategically successful raid on Tokyo in 1942.
- The strategic value of the Doolittle Raid was that in WW2 it showed the Japanese that they were vulnerable to attack—no matter the distance.
- Northrop Grumman's President claimed the B-21 was the world's first sixth-generation aircraft because of its advanced stealth capabilities.
- Can carry nuclear or conventional weapons.
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
- Jimmy Doolittle, Hap Arnold, and the Battle of Britain: The 100-Octane Story - The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- F-35 01: COLLECTION - The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- PITCH BLACK 2022: COLLECTION- The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
References from the Web:
- DEC 2022 RAAF Chief Robert Chipman's visit to United States sparks renewed speculation Australia could purchase nuclear-capable B-21 Raiders-ABC News
- DEC 2022 See NG B-21 Raider – the backbone of deep penetration US aviation-Bulgarian Military.com
Source Information:
- Article Source: Defense News, Covering the politics, business and technology of defense | Defense News
- Media Check: Defense News - Media Bias/Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
- RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, DIRECTIONS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- LINKS TO PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION (PME) WEB PAGES | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
