The US may turn the B-21 bomber into a sixth-generation fighter, The Telegraph

The expert noted that the United States of America may review a number of its programs.

By the 2030s, the US Air Force could significantly increase its bombing capabilities if Northrop Grumman provides more than 100 new stealth bombers B-21 Raider.

This was reported by The Telegraph.

In particular, thanks to the latest achievements in the field of missile technology and drones, the prospect of creating a stealth bomber with the possibility of using air-to-air weapons appears.

It is reported that the US Air Force may revise its plans and budget to afford more than 100 such bombers. In this case, the additional B-21s could perform tasks previously planned for the Next-Generation Air Dominance program, which aims to create the first in the world's sixth-generation fighter. However, as noted, the leadership of the Air Force abandoned this program in the summer, since the cost of one fighter should be 300 million dollars — three times more expensive than the F-35 Lightning.

The requirements for NGAD arose from the need to deploy stealth fighters in the Western Pacific — region with a limited number of air bases of the US and its allies. The sixth-generation fighter should have a longer range and the ability to carry more missiles than current aircraft, as well as be able to radio with new unmanned fighter jets controlled by artificial intelligence and being developed by the Air Force. Expert David Ax  notes that the B-21 has a lot in common with the project of the sixth generation fighter, except for the ability to supersonic speeds and high maneuverability.

“The bomber is capable of covering distances of thousands of kilometers, while carrying tons munitions and communicates via a secure network with drones that are in the vicinity”, —  goes to articles.

It is noted that the B-21, armed with air-to-air missiles, can become no less threatening than fighters. Northrop Grumman CEO Cathy Warden also emphasized this.

“If the Air Force chooses more B-21s and abandons the NGAD altogether, aviation enthusiasts will be mildly surprised to discover that the world's first sixth-generation fighter is actually … bomber”, —  is reported in the material.