NotMrNiceGuy

B21 Raider Rollout Livestream

I’m sure this will get relegated to Hangar Talk, but the Major section should get more eyeballs for those that may be interested.

On a related note, it’s an interesting tack for this to be the next strategic aircraft. I’m not well versed in the best course for future airborne conflict. I was under the impression that air warfare was gonna be more drone oriented. Anyone have some strategic opinions on either this aircraft or a forward looking strategy?

rickair7777

I put it on. Guessing a 4-star speech and a black flying wing though.

Pilot4000

Looks like a B-2.

rickair7777

Flyby was cool.

TiredSoul

As long as Boeing doesn’t have any involvement it should be successful.

Panthertamer79

On a related note, it’s an interesting tack for this to be the next strategic aircraft. I’m not well versed in the best course for future airborne conflict. I was under the impression that air warfare was gonna be more drone oriented. Anyone have some strategic opinions on either this aircraft or a forward looking strategy?[/QUOTE]

God forbid we ever have to go toe-to-toe in a real peer conflict, it is going to take a combination of manned, unmanned, and AI technology to compete and survive. Supposedly the B-21 can be operated without a pilot, and who knows what other crazy tech it has baked into it. When it comes to warfare in general and the weight of responsibility with taking human life, no level of AI or other technology can replace a human being in that decision loop (if you don’t believe me, ask Sarah Connor how things work out otherwise)

rickair7777

"Drone" is a very loose term. If you need to carry a lot of ordnance over a long range, that takes a large airframe... not a pred. B-21 may be optionally piloted, but does that make it a "drone"?

For significant assets, especially nuclear missions, you need the pilot option. Some missions will require human creativity and intuition... including future circumstances which we're not yet aware of. All high-cost assets will be at least optionally manned in our lifetimes. Lower-cost, expendable drones, autonomous wingmen, etc will out the inventory. Manned / unmanned teamwork can give the benefits of each, with each covering for the other's weakness. Some utility missions can operate 100% unmanned in certain environments: refuelers, ISR platforms, and probably cargo delivery.

PNWFlyer

fixed it for you. You obviously have no idea what causes all the problems on any acquisition program.

PNWFlyer

Well, it’s replacing the B-2.

Vettekid

Congress...