While the push for next generation fighters probably wins more public and internet attention, the drive to field new bomber aircraft with sixth generation features is also pushing the limits of what aircraft designers can accomplish.
And with the first flights of the B-21 Raider now documented, it may also be a race far closer to the finish line.
In this episode I look at the three main members of the strategic bomber club, their next generation bomber programs, and ask both what these systems might mean, and why they seem likely to serve alongside much older, legacy platforms.
Patreon:
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Reading and Sourcing (Incomplete):
GAO: Weapon System Sustainment Aircraft - GAO-23-106217
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CRS: Air Force Next-Generation Bomber Background and Issues for Congress (2009)
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CRS: Air Force B-21 Raider Long-Range Strike Bomber (2021)
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Mentioned Videos - The Race for Next Generation Fighters
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Mentioned Videos - Russia's attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure - does strategic bombing ever work?
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Northrop Grumman on the B-21
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Janes - H-20 close to first flight
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Bronk, J. Russian and Chinese Combat Air Trends (2020)
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US DoD - Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China (2023)
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TASS on the PAK DA
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TASS on S-300 and S-400 vs Stealth
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USAF B-52s fly near Kaliningrad
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The Global Times on H-20
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Anonymous US official on H-20
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Caveats & Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Opening Words
00:00:54 — What Am I Talking About?
00:01:32 — History
00:11:12 — Modern And Future Roles
00:16:53 — The Three Bomber Fleets
00:23:09 — Next Generation Features
00:28:03 — The United States
00:36:03 — China
00:38:58 — Russia
00:46:34 — Bomb Trucks And Force Design
00:50:54 — The US Future Fleet
00:54:53 — The Chinese Future Fleet
00:55:57 — The Russian Future Fleet
01:01:02 — Potential For Future Growth?
01:02:46 — Channel Update
