Exploring the Groundbreaking B-21 Raider: A Marvel of Sixth-Generation Aviation Technology

Strap in for a thrilling journey that takes flight with the B-21 Raider, a sixth-generation marvel altering aviation's horizon. We're delving into the groundbreaking details of this stealth bomber, from its captivating window design to the strategic positioning of its air inlets. Curious about what this could mean for its radar capabilities? We've got you covered.

As we venture inside the cockpit, we're exploring the possible integration of augmented reality in piloting the Raider. Wondering about the number of engines within this bomber, or the intriguing exterior skin? We're sharing exclusive insights on how these features are pioneering a new generation of aviation technology. But that's not all, we're also discussing the pivotal vision this aircraft symbolizes for the United States and her allies. Get ready to navigate the uncharted skies of innovation with us on the Pilot Photog podcast.

To help support this podcast and become a PilotPhotog ProCast member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1555784/support

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to this podcast, you can find links to most podcast streaming services here: 

PilotPhotog Podcast (buzzsprout.com)

Sign up for the free weekly newsletter Hangar Flyingwith Tog here: 

https://hangarflyingwithtog.com

You can check out my YouTube channel for many videos on fighter planes here:

https://youtube.com/c/PilotPhotog

If you’d like to support this podcast via Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/PilotPhotog

And finally, you can follow me on Twitter here:

https://twitter.com/pilotphotog

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

You're listening to the Pilot Photog podcast, where every airplane has a story. Get ready to soar through the skies of innovation as we impact the game-changing details behind the B-21 Raider, featuring brand new images and exclusive computer animations that bring this 6th generation Marvel to life like never before. Picture this in December of last year, the world stood still as Northrop Grumman pulled back the curtain unveiling the full-scale prototype of the B-21 Raider. This 6th generation Marvel is raising the bar for all other bombers in the sky today and tomorrow. The Raider is nothing short of a generational leap in technology and aviation. Fast forward to early 2023, when additional snapshots surface, shedding more light on the Raider's intricate design and hinting at its unparalleled capabilities. Now, after months of anticipation, brand new images have been released and today we're diving into what these revelations mean. But we're not just talking about it. You'll see exclusive animations that show you what it all means.

Speaker 1: 1:13

I've been following the development of the B-21 in this channel closely, from before the December reveal until today, to tell you the story of this unique bomber. Along the way, I've made some guesses and created these animations, and sometimes I've been way off the mark, but that's part of the fun in chronically in what is perhaps the most secretive and revolutionary aircraft of this generation. Getting to the new photos and what we've learned about them, the first thing that stands out are the window designs. While we saw the windows in the December reveal, these photos show us different angles that tell us a couple of things. First, their unconventional shape and layout seem to indicate that the windows appear to be designed to eliminate seams and joints, which further reduce its radar cross section, or RCS. Additionally, these windows will allow the pilot's good visibility during aerial refueling and some side to side visibility, but the airplane will likely be flown mostly with some kind of augmented reality. This is sort of like flying in VR, where the pilots will rely on on screen displays, or even their helmet displays to see outside of the aircraft. The F-35 already does this with its helmet system, and NASA's X-59 Quest is flown by means of an enhanced flight vision system, or EVS, which consists of a forward facing 4K camera.

Speaker 1: 2:46

Staying in the cockpit area of the radar, we also notice the new markings for the ejection seats, indicating that the radar's pilot sit in a low profile stance, which further reinforces the fact that the forward and down visibility will likely be minimal. The low profile stance is almost certainly done to help reduce the radar's RCS, making it even more stealthy Moving outwards from the cockpit. We also note that the air intake sit very low in the fuselage, especially when compared to how the B2's inlets are positioned. Both aircraft have the inlets above the wing, which will help maintain its stealth profile when flying at high altitudes, but the radar's inlets are noticeably more flush with the airframe. Remember that even today, the B2 Spirit remains one of the most stealthy aircraft in the sky. With these design upgrades, the radar will become even more invisible. What we still don't know at this point is if these inlets will house a total of two or four engines, but given the smaller size of the radar, my guess is that the final version will have two adaptive cycle engines. This will allow for more onboard fuel storage, thereby providing greater range capabilities.

Speaker 1: 4:04

The new photos also show various markings added to the prototype, most notably the Sierra number 0001. Indicating that the aircraft shown in the prototype is the first built radar. Current estimates are that there are a total of six B21's in various stages of construction. The latest photos we've seen appear to be dated July 31st, which is when Northrop announced that they had powered up the radar for the first time. Interestingly, there is one viewpoint we haven't seen from the B-21. While we've seen the front and now the side views of the jets, we haven't seen the rear of the aircraft. Why is this? The most likely explanation is to maintain secrecy for as long as possible. If you recall, when the B-2 was revealed in 1988, the press was invited to view the aircraft from the front and sides only. However, during the reveal, the B-2 was fully pulled out of its hangar and an innovative reporter was able to rent a Cezna and get overhead shots of the back of the B-2 Spirit. In the December reveal last year, northrop had apparently learned its lesson and only towed the B-21 partially out of the hangar before stowing it back inside.

Speaker 1: 5:23

The fact that the rear of the aircraft has not been publicly shown indicates that the design could provide other nations which are developing their own stealth bombers, such as China, clues for their development. In a similar way, designers of ground and air-based radar systems could be looking for insights as to how to track the aircraft based on what the plane form looks like. Surprisingly, from a project perspective, the radar appears to be on schedule. The Air Force has stated that they want to purchase a minimum of 100 examples of the radar, which is substantially more than the 19 B-2 Spirits that are in operation today. The Air Force is hoping that the eventual size of the B-21 fleet will number over 200. It's not yet known if the radar will be made available for export, but Australia has expressed interest in the bomber. Everything about the radar has been designed with future expansions in mind, from its open architecture software code to the modular construction methods that are being used.

Speaker 1: 6:26

Next, let's talk about the exterior skin of the airplane. Everything we've seen about the radar also shows a much lighter coating than we've previously seen on other stealth aircraft. The lighter coating represents a new generation of radar-absorbing materials, or RAM coatings, which promise to be more durable and longer lasting than the RAM coatings used today on the B-2. If you recall, all B-2s must be kept in climate-controlled hangars to preserve their RAM coatings and have to have all these coatings reapplied almost after every mission flown. The B-21 Raiders coatings should allow for the aircraft to perform several missions before reapplying them and allow for the radar to be forward deployed even outside. This would give the radar global strike capability just about anywhere within two hours.

Speaker 1: 7:19

The lighter coating shown in the B-21 Raider is likely an evolution of the chrome or mirror-like finishes we've seen in the past year on several stealth platforms. Recently, f-22 Raptors, f-35 Lightnings and even F-117 Nighthawks have been spotted with these unconventional chrome coatings. I've done videos on these configurations links in the description below. Along with the aforementioned benefits, these lighter coatings are likely some form of counter against passive tracking systems such as Infrared Search and Track or IRST, which some claim can also detect stealth aircraft better than traditional radar. And while the coatings seen on the B-21 are not chrome, they are likely an evolution of what has been tested and again represent the latest in radar-absorbing material technology. Another reason for the white coatings could be an old and survey-somewhat grim purpose. For decades, some strategic bombers have been painted in anti-flash white. The thinking is that the white color is to reflect at least some of the thermal radiation from a nuclear explosion, thereby protecting the aircraft and crew. Furthermore, these lighter coatings will also make the bomber harder to visually detect, even during the day, so we can speculate that daytime strikes at altitudes above 60,000 feet will be possible.

Speaker 1: 8:49

The Northrop B-21 radar represents the latest in American technology and innovation and carries with it the strategic vision of the United States and her allies. As we learn more about this incredible aircraft, I will continue to make videos with updated animations to keep you in the loop. And finally, it appears that the radar is being produced at Northrop's infamous Palmdale facility at Plant 42. Thanks for listening to the Pilot Photon Podcast. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and the YouTube channel as well. I will leave links in the description slash show notes below. Now you know.