Wed, Dec 12, 2018
Highlights Significant Progress On The Airplane, USAF Says
The Air Force successfully held a critical design review of the B-21 weapon system November 28-30, 2018. The event served as a multi-disciplined technical review that ensured the Air Force’s newest bomber has a stable and mature design as the program moves forward into manufacturing and flight test.
According to Air Force leadership, the review highlights the significant progress that has been made on the B-21 since the engineering and manufacturing development phase began nearly three years ago.
“The Air Force is pleased with how the program is moving forward,” said 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.”
When Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Stephen Wilson was recently asked about why the AFRCO is leading the B-21 program, he explained, “First and foremost, it starts out with culture, because they are the organization whose culture is: I’ve got to deliver capability at the speed of relevance. It (AFRCO) works for pretty much every type of program that we can do. The B-21 is being run out of the AFRCO and it’s going really well.”
The B-21 bomber is a long range, highly survivable aircraft capable of penetrating and operating in future anti-access, area denial environments. The B-21 is expected to begin delivering initial capability in the mid-2020s.
(Image provided with USAF news release)
More News
Also: B-29 Superfortress Reunion, FAA Wants Controllers, Spirit Airlines Pulls Back, Gogo Galileo Van's Aircraft posted a short video recapping the goings-on around their reorganiz>[...]
Light Gun A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of>[...]
"The journey to this achievement started nearly a decade ago when a freshly commissioned Gentry, driven by a fascination with new technologies and a desire to contribute significan>[...]
"Our driven and innovative team of military and civilian Airmen delivers combat power daily, ensuring our nation is ready today and tomorrow." Source: General Duke Richardson, AFMC>[...]
Aircraft Conflict Predicted conflict, within EDST of two aircraft, or between aircraft and airspace. A Red alert is used for conflicts when the predicted minimum separation is 5 na>[...]
Airborne 04.16.24: RV Update, Affordable Flying Expo, Diamond Lil
See All