The US Department of Defense has announced that Northrup Grumman will be supplying its next generation of Long Range Strike Bomber (LRSB) to replace the aging B-52 and B-2 fleets.
"Over the past century, no nation has used air power to accomplish its global reach -- to compress time and space -- like the United States," said Defense Secretary Ash Carter
"Building this bomber is a strategic investment in the next 50 years, and represents our aggressive commitment to a strong and balanced force. It demonstrates our commitment to our allies and our determination to potential adversaries, making it crystal clear that the United States will continue to retain the ability to project power throughout the globe long into the future."
The first prototypes of the new bomber won't take to the skies until 2025 at the earliest, and is unlikely to be operational for years after that. But it's going to be packed with the latest technology to shield it from ever-smarter missiles and other weapons systems.
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Like the B-2, it will be using radar-absorbing materials and high-tech weapons. Directed-energy anti-missile technology has been touted for the aircraft by some analysts, as has the ability to carry electronic payloads that could disrupt enemy computer systems.
Yes, Ye Children of Slashdot, this one will have frickin' laser beams.
(Score: 3, Funny) by driverless on Saturday October 31 2015, @12:48AM
"Over the past century, no nation has used air power to accomplish its global reach like the United States"
"What other countries address via diplomacy, the US addresses by sending in bombers".
"Building this bomber is a strategic investment in the next 50 years, and represents our aggressive commitment to a strong and balanced force"
"The amount of campaign contributions we got from this was unbelievable, and Northrop subcontracted out development to the home territory of every senator who voted for it".
The first prototypes of the new bomber won't take to the skies until 2025 at the earliest, and is unlikely to be operational for years after that
"We'll still be flying B-52s in 2070".
"But it's going to be packed with the latest technology"
It will go a minimum of five, possibly ten times, over budget. Only a token handful will be ordered because of the cost".
Like the B-2, it will be using radar-absorbing materials and high-tech weapons.
"The Chinese will build something that can go head to head with it in combat without needing all the expensive doodads, at one twentieth the cost. In any case though they won't need to use them because they've already bought the place they'd need to use them against".