The U.S. Air Force is advancing its aerial combat capabilities with the development of the B-21 Raider, a strategic stealth bomber designed for deep-penetration strikes against sophisticated air defenses of near-peer adversaries like Russia and China.
On April 15, 2024, nearly two-thirds of the United States Air Force's fleet of Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit bombers participated in a historic display at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
The B-2 Spirit, a strategic heavy bomber in U.S. Air Force service, represents the pinnacle of stealth and precision attack capabilities. Originally designed during the Cold War to penetrate Soviet defenses with nuclear payloads, its role has since expanded to include conventional strikes.
Advances in stealth technology culminated in the F-117 Nighthawk, setting the stage for the B-2 Spirit's development. Despite its groundbreaking stealth capabilities, the end of the Cold War and cost overruns led to a reduced fleet of just 20 aircraft.