The US has unveiled the B-21 Raider, a next-generation stealth strategic bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
The B-21 is the first weapon in the 1 trillion-dollar, 1,300-trillion-won nuclear deterrence reorganization work underway by the United States to counter China's nuclear forces, and is expected to play a role as a strategic asset in deterring North Korea in the future.
The US Air Force unveiled a new stealth strategic bomber yesterday (2nd) at the Northrop Grumman plant in Palmdale, California.
The B-21 is a classified US military bomber that appeared 30 years after the first flight of the B-2 Spirit bomber in 1989.
The Associated Press said, "The B-21 debuted after years of secret development."
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) explained that the B-21 corresponds to the first achievement in the US overhaul work in response to China's expanding nuclear force.
The United States is in the process of modernizing its three major nuclear forces, including strategic bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and nuclear submarines.
The unveiling ceremony began with flights of the B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, and B-2 Spirit, followed by the opening of the hangar doors to reveal the B-21.
While the US Air Force unveiled the B-21, only part of the aircraft was exposed, as if conscious of enemy surveillance satellites, and the rest of the propulsion system and sensors were hidden under the hangar.
About 600 people who were invited after going through a strict security screening returned their mobile phones in advance and entered the venue, and photography was allowed only from strictly controlled angles.
(Photo = Yonhap News)