The United States unveils a new strategic bomber, the B-21 Raider

The B-21 bomber unveiled during a ceremony at the Northrop Grumman plant in Palmdale, California, on December 2, 2022. AFP - FREDERIC J. BROWN

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The United States Air Force presented its ultra-modern bomber for the first time this Friday, December 2 in California.

With the B-21 Raider, the United States wants to send a message to the country's competitors in the context of rising international tensions.

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With our correspondent in Washington

,

Guillaume Naudin.

With its flying wing shape, the new bomber unveiled by

the United States

on Friday December 2 resembles the B-2 launched in the 80s. But the B-21 Raider, presented as the first bomber of the 21st century, benefits from all the experience accumulated over at least forty years in terms of stealth.

According to the US Secretary of Defense, it will also be able to penetrate all known detection and anti-intrusion systems.

Its missions will range from intelligence gathering to strategic bombing.

Dealing with China and Russia

Manufactured by the Northrop Grumman group for the American army, the device embeds both nuclear and conventional weapons and even systems that have not yet been invented.

As for its radius of action, it is sufficient to intervene anywhere in the world without having to station it near the theaters of operation.

The Americans intend to produce enough specimens to face any strategic situation.

In short, with this aircraft, the United States wants to do what they want, where they want, when they want.

Flight tests are due to begin next year, for entry into service quickly enough to oppose powers like China or Russia.

These countries are ahead of other types of weapons like hypersonic missiles.

This is also why the United States needs to

reaffirm its deterrent capability

.

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