America’s super stealthy next-generation bomber won’t be heading to the land down under.
Australia has passed up a probability to purchase the B-21 Raider, in line with the country’s latest Defense Strategic Review. As a substitute, Australia shall be refitting the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and F/A-18F in order that it may possibly launch the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) and the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), and doubling down on its efforts to construct a complicated uncrewed aerial vehicle.
“In light of our strategic circumstances and the approach to defence strategy and capability development outlined on this review, we don’t consider the B-21 to be an appropriate option for consideration for acquisition [sic],” the review authors wrote.
America’s Next Bomber
Even when Australia is popping its nose up on the B-21, the Raider shall be the backbone of America’s bomber fleet. The Raider is a long-range, stealth intercontinental strategic bomber that may deliver conventional and thermonuclear weapons. The B-21 is predicted to enter service by 2027.
The B-21 Raider has an analogous silhouette to the B-2 Spirit bomber, but needs to be much harder to detect, because of recent technologies. It also has an extended range than some other bomber, allowing it to strike targets while not having to be based in-theater or depend on logistical support. The Raider can use a broad mixture of stand-off and direct-attack munitions, including some which have yet to be invented.
Pivot to UAV
With its turn away from the Raider, Australia is placing a bet on a future without pilots. The Strategic Review calls for further funding of the MQ-28A, a stealth, multirole, uncrewed aerial vehicle in development by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force.
“MQ-28A Ghost Bat is a sovereign autonomous air vehicle designed to operate as a part of an integrated system of crewed and uncrewed aircraft and space-based capabilities,” in line with the Review. “MQ-28A is meant to be an attritable platform, which costs lower than a crewed platform, and will be replaced rapidly.”
The Ghost Bat has a modular mission package system that enables it to swap different sensors and weapons for various scenarios. It will probably fly as much as 2,000 nautical miles and reach hurries up to Mach 0.95. It will probably operate independently or in a team with other Ghost Bats or manned aircraft. Australia plans to amass six Ghost Bats.
The Ghost Bat is an example of the relatively recent loyal wingman concept of uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) that comes with artificial intelligence (AI) and is designed to collaborate with human-crewed combat aircraft, corresponding to fighters and bombers. The loyal wingman can perform various missions, corresponding to surveillance, electronic warfare, and strike, either autonomously or under the control of a parent aircraft.
