Key Points – The B-21 Raider stealth bomber, designed primarily for a potential conflict with China, is a versatile, “omni-role” platform crucial for modern warfare scenarios like the one unfolding with Iran.
-Though smaller than the B-2, the B-21 incorporates a more advanced generation of stealth and a flexible payload, enabling it to deliver both nuclear weapons and tactical munitions like the JASSM and JDAM.
-Its open-system architecture allows it to conduct ISR, battle management, and act as a “drone quarterback.”
-This adaptability makes it the ideal platform to hunt for and strike elusive, hardened targets like Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, especially when forward-deployed from bases like Diego Garcia.
The B-21 Raider Bomber Looks Ready for Anything
Like so many of the US Air Force (USAF) programmes that have recently entered production or are still in development, the B-21 Raider stealth bomber was primarily designed for a conflict between the US and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as its primary mission.
The Northrop B-21 is smaller than the previous-generation flying wing stealth bomber that the company built in the 1980s.
It also only carries about half of the payload – 20,000 v. 40,000 lbs of munitions.
But the B-21 is based on a more advanced generation of stealth technology, as well being capable of missions almost anywhere in the world. However, one of the key strengths of the aircraft is its “versatile” payload.
In plain English, that means that the B-21 carries all of the strategic weapons typical for a heavy bomber, include hypersonic weapons as well. But it is a platform that also can deliver conventional weapons that are usually associated with tactical fighter aircraft.
Utility Infielder in Action
The B-21 can be loaded with the same B61 nuclear weapon as carried by the F-35A, the JASSM cruise missile, the precision-strike JDAM, etc.
It makes this flying wing almost the combat aircraft equivalent of a utility infielder.
It is equally capable of carrying out conventional and nuclear missions.
That versatility and adaptability are exactly what is needed for a war against the PRC. And it is also so much more adept at those non-strategic missions than the B-2 could ever be.
A profile from more than two years ago examines the two aircraft and makes the overall assessment that the “B-21 Raider is a perfect example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, or an aircraft by its general shape. In fact, based on official statements about the Raider, the similarities between these two bombers aren’t even skin deep.”
The B-2 design is also more than 40 years old, and so much of how the B-21 is designed is a quantum leap over that older bomber’s embedded technology.
“Fifty years of advances in low-observable technology have gone into this aircraft,” said then-US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the aircraft’s unveiling. “Even the most sophisticated air-defense systems will struggle to detect a B-21 in the sky.”
“The Raider was built with open-system architecture, which makes it highly adaptable,” Austin explained. “As the United States continues to innovate, this bomber will be able to defend our country with new weapons that haven’t even been invented yet. And the B-21 is multi-functional. It can handle anything from gathering intel, to battle management, to integrating with our allies and partners. And it will work seamlessly across domains, and theatres, and across the joint force.”
Why This Aircraft is Needed in the Iran Theatre
The many and diverse missions that the B-21 can carry out is why there is a plan to build so many of them – at least 100 and possibly double that number.
It is more than just a bomber that can launch, penetrate air defense networks and then hit major strategic targets.
The B-21 can also conduct ISR and electronic warfare missions, and to act as a “drone quarterback” controlling Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
Looking at that description, it sounds close to what the USAF F-47 is designed to do when operating at long distances. But it’s unique effectiveness in places like Iran will be hunting for targets that can be relocated and are elusive, like nuclear sites, and then carrying out strikes on then.
This makes it a “one-stop shopping” bomber.
B-2 vs. Iran
Less than a year ago, two analysts looked at the missions that the B-2 is usually proposed for employing against Iran and commented on how the B-21 will need to be a regular presence in this theatre of operations and not something that is deployed only when there is a looming crisis:
“As the B-21 Raider enters operational service in the coming years, the Pentagon should consider forward deploying a detachment of B-2s and eventually B-21s to Diego Garcia (similar to a 2020 deployment) for frequent BTF missions within striking distance of Iran.”
This B-2 deployment, which the two proposed when this analysis was published at the end of last year, has already happened.
However, should there be a B-21 presence on Diego Garcia, it would likely be a more permanent one, and less resource-intensive given the B-21’s smaller size and reduced maintenance footprint.
“The regime in Tehran should understand U.S. offensive capabilities and Washington’s willingness to use them if necessary,” read the same commentary.
“Finally, a speedier introduction into service of the successor to the GBU-57—which is said to be smaller than MOPs yet more capable of penetrating hardened facilities—would add another layer to U.S. deterrence against Iran.”
About the Author:
Reuben F. Johnson is a survivor of the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and is an Expert on Foreign Military Affairs with the Fundacja im. Kazimierza Pułaskiego in Warsaw. He has been a consultant to the Pentagon, several NATO governments and the Australian government in the fields of defense technology and weapon systems design. Over the past 30 years he has resided in and reported from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Brazil, the People’s Republic of China and Australia.
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