The Air Force’s B-21 Raider bomber nightmare has begun

Resume: Northrop Grumman’s next-generation stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, suffered a significant cost overrun of nearly $1.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily due to rising production costs and macroeconomic disruptions .

Critics argue that this calls into question the value of the program, especially given the increasing role of drones in warfare. However, the B-21 is intended to replace the aging B-2 Spirit, whose stealth capabilities are becoming less effective against modern detection technologies.

-The B-21 aims to expand the U.S. nuclear triad and bomber fleet with improved stealth, flexibility and reusability, maintaining strategic military advantage in an evolving global security landscape.

Is the B-21 Raider worth its price tag amid advances in drone warfare?

The B-21 Raider stealth bomber has yet to enter production and has largely avoided controversy. But in the fourth quarter of 2023, the company experienced a cost overrun.

“Northrop Grumman reported a pretax charge of nearly $1.6 billion on the B-21 Raider program in the final quarter of 2023,” Defense News reported. “The burden was primarily driven by higher-than-expected production costs and macroeconomic disruptions, company officials said in an earnings call with investors on Thursday.”

Naturally, the cost overrun has opened the door to criticism. It provides quotable evidence for those who believe the B-21 program is not worth the cost, especially given the predicted rise of drone warfare.

B-21 Raider Money Challenge

The United States is the only country in the world with an operational stealth bomber, the B-2 Spirit. So why replace an aircraft that is already out of peer? Well, the B-2’s stealth technology lags behind advances in detection technology, meaning the aircraft is no longer as stealthy as it once was.

The loss of stealth reduces its ability to perform its primary functions: deep penetration bombardment and nuclear deterrence.

The stealth bomber plays an important role in the nuclear triad and in the US bomber rotation. Even with the advent of missile technology, the bomber has unique capabilities.

First, the stealth bomber offers a manned option. While missiles are launched and essentially forgotten, the bomber has a human on board who can make real-time decisions as the mission unfolds. It is more flexible and adaptable than a rocket. Second, a bomber offers hang time. A missile is fired directly at its target, kamikaze style, but a bomber can maintain its presence around the target, expanding the targeting window. Finally a bomber is reusable. A missile is of course a one-time weapon. A bomber can be used for decades.

Stealth increases a bomber’s effectiveness by creating ambiguity and increasing the fog of war. It’s hard to defend yourself against it. The capabilities of stealth bombers are therefore strategically valuable. The question of whether the B-21 is worth the investment really comes down to policy preferences.

The US military is better off with stealth bombers. But how good should we have the US military?

Can drones get the job done?

As written above, bombers offer a manned option. Drones would obviously negate the manned advantage of a nuclear-equipped bomber. Granted, many drones are remotely manned, as is the entire fleet of remotely piloted aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory.

But the use of real drones – autonomous aircraft with an artificial intelligence control system – to carry out nuclear deterrent missions is troubling. James Cameron made a film series about something like that called Terminator. You should check it out if you haven’t already.

And while Terminator Since it is fiction, there is a word of caution in the story that deserves respect.

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with more than 1,000 articles on issues relating to global affairs. Harrison, a lawyer, pilot, guitarist and minor professional hockey player, joined the United States Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

All images are Creative Commons.