The U.S. Air Force has revealed the image of its B-21 bomber, which is set to replace the currently used B-52 bombers as soon as Northrop Grumman finishes working on it.
The image presented is nothing more but an artist's rendering, as the next-gen bomber is yet to be built.
Black, zigzagged, and with a low profile - these are the basic characteristics of the new stealth bomber that the Air Force finds to be helpful in making sure it becomes harder to spot on radar. It also has a passing resemblance to the Air Force's B-2 bomber, which was also built by Northrop Grumman, according to AFP.
"The B-21 has been designed from the beginning based on a set of requirements that allows the use of existing and mature technology," said Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla., Friday, according to CNN.
Previously known as the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B), the B-21 bomber is now also up for naming, and James included in the announcement that name suggestions from airmen are very much welcome.
"This aircraft represents the future for our Airmen, and their voice is important to this process. The Airman who submits the selected name will help me announce it at the [Air Force Association] conference this fall," said James, according to FOX News.
The Air Force aims to make the plane available and functional by mid-2020. Currently, the program is in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase.
