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In the latest aerial arsenal development, the Air Force has deployed the B-61-12 tactical nuclear bomb on its fleet of 20 B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. These high-tech flying wing jets, part of the 509th Bomb Wing based at Whiteman Air Force Base, are set to redefine strategic capabilities. By 2025, approximately 480 B61-12s are expected to replace B61-4 bombs, making their mark across various aircraft, including the B-2's successor, the B-21 Raider, F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters, F-16 Fighting Falcon tactical jet fighters, and more. Most of these aircraft have already test-dropped the B61-12, showcasing its versatility. At Legacy Components, we keep a close eye on industry developments to ensure our clients have access to cutting-edge components, supporting advancements in aerospace technology. #LegacyComponents #FighterJetFriday #B2Bomber #Components #Distributor #Microchips #FighterJet #Military #AerospaceIndustry

Why the U.S. Air Force Needs 300 B-21 Raider Stealth Bombers 📐Strategic Necessity: The B-21 Raider is crucial for the U.S. Air Force amid fleet reductions and the challenge of developing sixth-generation aircraft. It provides the necessary capability to maintain military competitiveness, particularly against China. 📐Length of Stick and Range: With potential conflicts involving vast distances, especially in the context of challenges posed by China, the B-21's long-range capabilities become indispensable. Its ability to hold both conventional and nuclear targets at risk positions it as a vital asset for future warfare scenarios. 📐Practical Proven Design: The B-21, based on the proven design of the B-2 stealth bomber, offers reliability and readiness. Its production can leverage existing manufacturing capabilities, ensuring a quicker deployment compared to more ambitious, yet uncertain, projects. 📐Right Number? The Air Force's order of 100 units underscores the urgency, but a fleet of 300 is deemed necessary to bolster U.S. defenses effectively.

United States Air Force News: Pentagon OKs B-21 for low-rate production after successful tests For the first time in a generation, the B-21 Raider will be making its way into use after receiving the final approvals. The Air Force has produced a stealth bomber-- "a sleek , highly capable weapon the service hopes will be so deadly it would force leaders in China and Russia to rethink wards for decades to come." This new vessel had been purposely designed to carry out deep strike missions, as well as carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. It is said that the B-21 will be taking flight in the mid 2020's, and eventually take over the use of all B-1B Lancer and B2 Spirit by the 2030's. With the seriousness that has come with testing and manufacturing the B-21 bomber, over the next 30 years it has been projected this program itself would expect to cost up to 2023 billion dollars. Individually, each bomber (striving to product about 6) is projected to cost roughly around 692 million dollars. Keep a lookout for more information on the production of B-21's, as the updated articles on the matter can be found below: Additional Source: Additional Source: https://lnkd.in/eSHhHFBD Main Article: https://lnkd.in/eSHhHFBD

Exciting News from Northrop Grumman! Northrop Grumman has raised its 2024 earnings forecast, reflecting a surge in global defense spending and a robust backlog. CEO Kathy Warden shared that the challenges faced by the B-21 Raider program are now behind them, setting the stage for future growth. Key Highlights: Increased annual sales forecast: Up to $41.4 billion, surpassing previous estimates. Adjusted profit per share forecast: Now between $24.90 and $25.30. Strong demand for U.S. weaponry, especially amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, driving growth in the Defense Systems segment. Significant progress in programs like the Sentinel and high demand for ammunition and rocket motors. Northrop Grumman's strategic positioning in defense, especially in nuclear capabilities, is poised for strong spending, given the current geopolitical landscape. The future looks promising for Northrop Grumman and the defense industry at large. Stay tuned for more updates! #DefenseIndustry #NorthropGrumman #EarningsForecast #GlobalDefense #B21Raider #Innovation #Aerospace #Defense #TheSocialTalks

The futuristic warplane B-21 Raider is moving closer to becoming the nation's next nuclear stealth bomber. The B-21 Raider began flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California as the plane progresses toward becoming “the backbone” of the US Air Force bomber fleet, the Air Force said. The Air Force plans to build 100 of the warplanes, which have a flying wing shape like their predecessor, the B-2 Spirit, but with advanced materials, propulsion and stealth technology. "Fifty years of advances in low-observable technology have gone into this aircraft,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. “The most sophisticated air-defense systems will struggle to detect a B-21.” The B-21 Raider is the first new American bomber aircraft in over 30 years—almost every aspect of the program is classified, as efforts focus on preventing China from building a similar version. https://ow.ly/YOBz50RYIyy

Engineering Marvel: Beautiful B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber in-flight The Northrop B-2 Spirit, also revered as the Stealth Bomber, is a technological marvel and a cornerstone of the United States Air Force's strategic arsenal. This heavy bomber boasts a unique design, prioritizing stealth to outmaneuver even the most formidable air defense systems. Its sleek, tailless flying wing form and special coatings all contribute to its low-observable profile, making it difficult to detect by radar, infrared, and other tracking technologies. This stealth characteristic allows the B-2 Spirit to penetrate deep behind enemy lines, delivering a devastating payload of conventional or nuclear munitions with unparalleled precision. Video: Northrop Grumman

The U.S. Air Force's B-21 "Raider" bomber shaped like a flying wing took its first flight on Friday, the next step in rolling out a new fleet of long-range nuclear-capable stealth bombers built by Northrop Grumman, according to a Reuters witness. The B-21 left Northrop's facility at the Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, at sunrise on Friday offering the first unscripted look at the new bomber which has been developed under strict security. The aircraft are projected to cost approximately $550 million each in 2010 dollars, or about $750 million in today's inflation-adjusted dollars. However, the Air Force has kept other price information classified, "which makes validating the proposed cost difficult," the Congressional Research Service said in a 2021 report. The Air Force plans to buy at least 100 of the planes and begin to replace B-1 and B-2 bombers. The B-1 costs about $60,000 per hour to operate and the B-2 costs about $65,000 per hour, according to Pentagon data. https://lnkd.in/dPFZyfgj

The North American XB-70 Valkyrie was an experimental supersonic strategic bomber developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s by North American Aviation for the United States Air Force. Design and Purpose: The XB-70 was designed to be a high-altitude, high-speed bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons deep into enemy territory. It was intended to fly at speeds over Mach 3 and at altitudes above 70,000 feet to avoid interception by enemy fighters and surface-to-air missiles. Technology and Features: The Valkyrie featured an innovative design with delta wings and six powerful General Electric YJ93-GE-3 afterburning turbojet engines. Its unique shape allowed it to use compression lift, where the shock wave generated by the aircraft at supersonic speeds provided additional lift. Performance: The XB-70 could reach speeds of Mach 3.1 (approximately 2,056 mph or 3,310 km/h) and had a maximum altitude of 77,350 feet (23,550 meters). Its range was approximately 4,288 miles (6,900 kilometers). Prototypes: Only two prototypes were built, designated as XB-70A. The first flight took place on September 21, 1964. Accident and Program Cancellation: The program faced several challenges, including high costs and advances in Soviet air defenses. On June 8, 1966, the second prototype was involved in a mid-air collision with an F-104 Starfighter during a photo shoot, leading to the crash and loss of the XB-70. This accident, along with shifting defense priorities and the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), led to the cancellation of the XB-70 program. Legacy: Despite its short operational life, the XB-70 Valkyrie contributed significantly to aerospace technology and design. Its research data helped in the development of future supersonic aircraft and military technology. One of the surviving prototypes, the XB-70A, is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

Gillette: a measure of how powerful a laser is It is simply how many Gillette razor blades the laser could cut through. The first ever laser was a ruby laser invented by Theodore Maiman at the Hughes Research Laboratory in 1960. The ruby rods used were made of aluminum oxide where the aluminum atoms were replaced with chromium, giving it it's characteristic red color. The media then lost their s#it over it because they thought the death ray had been invented. But generating powerful lasers requires a huge amount of power and is incredibly inefficient. In the process, a lot of heat is produced which needs to be dissipated. Laser weapons would really change modern warfare if it were possible. A Mach 7 hypersonic missile travels at 5,100mph. Lasers travel at the speed of light 186,000 mph Ronald Raegan's Strategic Defense Initiative intended to have lasers on satellites neutralize nuclear missiles. Laser weapons are not yet a reality, but world super-powers still want to pew-pew. US Missile Defense agency is looking at "non-kinetic" options for protection. US-Israel's Iron Beam project is intended to be a variant of the current Iron Dome system.