US ramps up B-21 stealth bomber production ‘to take on China’
- US Air Force secretary says five aircraft are under construction, up from two in previous reports
- Chinese analyst says the American military is abandoning its traditional testing regime, showing it is under pressure
US Air Force secretary Frank Kendall told a conference in Maryland on Monday that the US had five of the bombers in production, up from the previously reported two.
“As I speak there are now five test aircraft being manufactured on the B-21 production line at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California,” he said, addressing the Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference.
“You will never hear me make optimistic predictions about programmes. All programmes have risk and the same is true of the B-21, but at this point at least, the programme is making good progress to real fielded capability.”
Kendall said the challenge from China was growing and the air force must have a mix of aircraft, systems and capabilities to carry out any mission, anywhere, anytime.
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US Vice-President Kamala Harris: China continues to ‘coerce’ and ‘intimidate’ in South China Sea
In July, US-based Defence News quoted Randall Walden, director of the air force rapid capabilities office, as saying the Raider was key to nuclear modernisation, a top priority for the service.