US Air Force's B‑21 Raider takes flight: A new era of stealth and power

On Friday, March 19, the United States Air Force's undetectable strategic bomber, the B-21 "Raider," completed its maiden flight. This long-range aircraft can carry conventional and nuclear payloads, showcasing just a fraction of its potential capabilities.

The B-21 "Raider" bomber incorporates stealth technology, significantly reducing its visibility to enemy detection systems. It is designed to transport various weapons, including conventional and nuclear missiles, over vast distances. Yet, that barely scratches the surface of its abilities. The "Raider" can also perform reconnaissance missions and execute electronic warfare.

The B-21 first soared into the air last year. However, United States Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek confirmed that it has only recently begun flight testing. Stefanek emphasized the critical nature of these tests. The American military has committed to acquiring 100 B-21 bombers.

The fleet size might not seem vast, but according to United States armed forces representatives, there's sound reasoning behind this decision. They argued that purchasing more of these aircraft at this stage would be unwise due to the rapid advancement of technology, stressing the importance of adaptability.

The B-21 "Raider" bomber isn't the only recent addition. The US confirmed its use of new anti-ballistic missiles during Iran's massive attack on Israel. Business Insider quoted Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro highlighting the deployment of Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) projectiles to intercept ballistic missiles launched by Tehran.

We've been firing SM-2s, we've been firing SM-6s, and just over the weekend, SM-3s, to actually counter the ballistic missile threat that's come from Iran — Del Toro explained to senators during a Senate Subcommittee on Defense hearing.

The uniqueness of the SM-3 lies in its design for operation in the vacuum of space, aiming to neutralize opposing projectiles in low Earth orbit.