Next-Generation Bomber

Last updated

Next-Generation Bomber
NextGenBomber.jpg
Boeing/Lockheed Martin "2018 Bomber" concept image
General information
Project for Stealth bomber
Issued by United States Air Force
History
OutcomeCanceled
Successors Long Range Strike Bomber

The Next-Generation Bomber (NGB; unofficially called the 2018 Bomber or B-3 Bomber) was a program to develop a new medium bomber for the United States Air Force. The NGB was initially projected to enter service around 2018 as a stealthy, subsonic, medium-range, medium payload bomber to supplement and possibly—to a limited degree—replace the U.S. Air Force's aging bomber fleet (B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer). The Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) heavy bomber program superseded the NGB program.

Contents

Development

1999 Air Force White Paper on Long Range Bombers controversy

1999 Long Range Bombers projection 1999 USAF bomber roadmap.png
1999 Long Range Bombers projection

In 1999, the Air Force released a white paper stating that it would need a new "capability" around 2037 to replace retiring bombers. The paper estimated that due to mishap attrition and other factors other than useful service life, the number of B-1 Lancer would not meet Air Force requirements of 89 aircraft by 2018. For the B-2, the number of aircraft would slip below the service's requirements of 19 aircraft by 2027 due to a combination of mishaps and retirements due to the end of service life. It predicted it would need to begin retiring B-1s at the end of their service life around 2038. [1] [2]

The Department of the Air Force's contentment with the size and age of the bomber fleet disappointed some members of Congress who believed a new aircraft would be needed before 2035. [3] The case for a hastened timeline was bolstered, some observers believed, by the DoD's 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, which warned of increasing threats to U.S. power projection. [4] The report said developments in adversary air defenses would threaten U.S. air power in future conflicts, and that access to enemy denied areas would be limited to stealth aircraft. [5]

The Air Force conceded that a new bomber would be needed earlier when it updated its service life projections in November 2001. The new paper anticipated a capability gap due to a strategic shift from nuclear deterrence to conventional bombing, and the loss of B-52's low-level flying mission capability. The paper said the Air Force would need to begin its acquisition program in 2012–2015. [2] The paper's recommendations were adopted as Air Force policy by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Edward C. Aldridge Jr. [6]

2018 Bomber

In June 2003, Jane's Defence Weekly reported upon ongoing study efforts within the Office of the Secretary of Defense and USAF Air Staff to prepare to start a new long-range strike system, which would not necessarily be an aircraft (other options being discussed included ultra-high-speed munitions), that could mature technologies in the 2012-15 timeframe in order to transfer into a developmental program. [7]

The sinking of ex-USS Schenectady as a test during Operation Resultant Fury in 2004 demonstrated that heavy bombers could successfully engage naval targets on their own. This led to the requirement for a new bomber that could survive against modern defenses. [8] [9] In 2004–2006, the USAF Air Combat Command studied alternatives for a new bomber type aircraft to augment the current bomber fleet which now consists of largely 1970s era airframes, with a goal of having a fully operational aircraft on the ramp by 2018. [10] Some speculation suggested that the next generation bomber might be hypersonic and unmanned. [11] However, these were put to rest when US Air Force Major General Mark T. Matthews, head of ACC Plans and Programs stated that available technology indicates a manned subsonic bomber at a May 2007 Air Force Association sponsored event. [12] He later stated that a manned subsonic bomber provides the "best value" to meet the required range and payload performance by 2018. [13]

The 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), directed the Air Force to develop a new long-range precision strike capability by 2018. [14] [15] USAF officials identified the new bomber as having top-end low-observability characteristics with the ability to loiter for hours over the battlefield area and respond to threats as they appear. Major General David E Clary, ACC vice-commander, summed it up by saying the new bomber would "penetrate and persist". Deployment of cruise missiles was another issue for the new bomber. The B-52 is the only aircraft currently in the Air Force inventory allowed under strategic nuclear arms reduction treaty to be armed with nuclear cruise missiles. Major consideration was paid to operation readiness and flexibility. In 2006, the program expected that a prototype could be flying as early as 2009. [16] In September 2007, several Air Force generals stressed that it was still their plan to field the bomber by 2018. In order to meet the tight schedule, the Air Force would initially pursue a basic model then improves its capabilities subsequently. [17]

On 25 January 2008, Boeing and Lockheed Martin announced an agreement to embark on a joint effort to develop a new US Air Force strategic bomber, with plans for it to be in service by 2018. [18] This collaborative effort for a long-range strike program will include work in advanced sensors and future electronic warfare solutions, including advancements in network-enabled battle management, command and control, and virtual warfare simulation and experimentation. [19] Under their joint arrangement, Boeing, the No. 2 Pentagon supplier, would be the primary contractor with about a 60% share, and Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defense contractor, would have around a 40% share, according to sources familiar with the companies' plans. [20] Northrop Grumman, another major defense contractor, received $2 billion in funding in 2008 for "restricted programs" – also called black programs – for a demonstrator that could fly in 2010. [21]

The Air Force was expected to announce late in 2009 its precise requirements for a new bomber that would be operating by 2018. [22] In May 2009, testimony before Congress, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates mentioned that the Pentagon was considering a pilotless aircraft for the next-generation bomber role. [23]

Move to LRS-B

In April 2009, Defense Secretary Gates announced a delay in the new generation bomber project that would push it past the 2018 date. [24] This was caused not only by budget considerations, but also by nuclear arms treaty considerations. [25] On 19 May 2009, Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz said that the USAF's focus in the 2010 budget was on "Long-range strike, not next-generation bomber" and will push for this in the QDR. [26] In June 2009, the two teams working on NGB proposals were told to "close up shop". [27] On 1 March 2010, Boeing said that the joint project with Lockheed Martin had been suspended [28] and on 24 June 2010, Lieutenant General Philip M. Breedlove said that the term "next-generation bomber" was dead and that the Air Force was working on a long-range strike "family" that would draw on the capabilities of systems like the F-35 and F-22 to help a more affordable and versatile bomber complete its missions. [29]

On 13 September 2010, U.S. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said that long range strike would continue cautiously with proven technologies and that the plan to be submitted with the 2012 budget could call for either a missile or an aircraft. [30] [31] The bomber is to be nuclear-capable, but not certified for nuclear use until later. On 24 February 2012, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley announced that a competition was under way with a target delivery in the mid-2020s. [32] On 27 October 2015, Northrop Grumman was awarded the contract to build the new bomber. [33]

Design

The design goals in January 2011 were: [34]

An August 2008 paper by Northrop Grumman highlighted the following trends and requirements: [38]

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit</span> American strategic stealth bomber

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American heavy strategic bomber, featuring low-observable stealth technology designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses. A subsonic flying wing with a crew of two, the plane was designed by Northrop and produced from 1987 to 2000. The bomber can drop conventional and thermonuclear weapons, such as up to eighty 500-pound class (230 kg) Mk 82 JDAM GPS-guided bombs, or sixteen 2,400-pound (1,100 kg) B83 nuclear bombs. The B-2 is the only acknowledged in-service aircraft that can carry large air-to-surface standoff weapons in a stealth configuration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockwell B-1 Lancer</span> American strategic bomber by Rockwell, later Boeing

The Rockwell B-1 Lancer is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber used by the United States Air Force. It has been nicknamed the "Bone". It is one of three strategic bombers serving in the U.S. Air Force fleet along with the B-2 Spirit and the B-52 Stratofortress as of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strategic bomber</span> Type of military aircraft

A strategic bomber is a medium- to long-range penetration bomber aircraft designed to drop large amounts of air-to-ground weaponry onto a distant target for the purposes of debilitating the enemy's capacity to wage war. Unlike tactical bombers, penetrators, fighter-bombers, and attack aircraft, which are used in air interdiction operations to attack enemy combatants and military equipment, strategic bombers are designed to fly into enemy territory to destroy strategic targets. In addition to strategic bombing, strategic bombers can be used for tactical missions. There are currently only three countries that operate strategic bombers: the United States, Russia and China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northrop Grumman</span> Aerospace and defense technology corporation

Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American multinational aerospace and defense technology company. With 95,000 employees and an annual revenue in excess of $30 billion, it is one of the world's largest weapons manufacturers and military technology providers. The firm ranked No. 101 on the 2022 Fortune 500 list of America's largest corporations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northrop YF-23</span> Prototype fighter aircraft for the US Air Force Advanced Tactical Fighter program

The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 is an American single-seat, twin-engine, supersonic stealth fighter aircraft technology demonstrator designed for the United States Air Force (USAF). The design was a finalist in the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition, battling the Lockheed YF-22 for a production contract. Two YF-23 prototypes were built.

Black project is an informal term used to describe a highly classified, top-secret military or defense project that is not publicly acknowledged by government, military personnel or contractors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems</span>

Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems, or J-UCAS, was the name for the joint U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force unmanned combat air vehicle procurement project. The two vehicles involved in the project were the Boeing X-45 and Northrop Grumman X-47. J-UCAS was managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. In the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review, it was stated that the J-UCAS program would be terminated and instead a new long-range strategic bomber program, "Next-Generation Bomber", for the Air Force has been launched. The program was revitalized into a Navy-only program named UCAS-D.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AGM-86 ALCM</span> Air-to-ground strategic cruise missile

The AGM-86 ALCM is an American subsonic air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) built by Boeing and operated by the United States Air Force. This missile was developed to increase the effectiveness and survivability of the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber. The missile dilutes an enemy's forces and complicates air defense of its territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GBU-57A/B MOP</span> American GPS-guided "bunker buster" bomb

The GBU-57A/BMassive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) is a precision-guided, 30,000-pound (14,000 kg) "bunker buster" bomb used by the United States Air Force. This is substantially larger than the deepest-penetrating bunker busters previously available, the 5,000-pound (2,300 kg) GBU-28 and GBU-37.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KC-X</span> US Defense department procurement program for next-generation tanker aircraft

KC-X was the United States Air Force (USAF) program to procure its next-generation aerial refueling tanker aircraft to replace some of their older Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers. The contest was for a production contract for 179 new tankers with estimated value of US$35 billion. The two contenders to replace the KC-135 aircraft were Boeing and EADS, following the elimination of US Aerospace, Inc. from the bidding process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45</span> Proposed aerial refueling tanker aircraft

The EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a proposed aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the Airbus A330 MRTT. The United States Air Force (USAF) had ordered 179 KC-45As in the first stage of replacing the aging Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker tankers currently in service. However, the contest was reopened in July 2008, after Boeing's protest of the award was upheld. In response to the new contest, on 8 March 2010, Northrop Grumman announced it was abandoning its bid for the new contract, with its CEO stating that the revised bid requirement favoured Boeing. On 20 April 2010, EADS announced it was re-entering the competition and entered a bid with the KC-45. Eventually, the USAF selected the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.

The 2037 bomber was a short-lived 1999 United States Air Force proposal to modernize and extend the service life of the U.S. bomber fleet and defer the introduction of a replacement "capability" until 2037. The plan was criticized by lawmakers and Pentagon officials, some of whom believed the existing fleet was in danger of becoming outmoded and overstretched. Amidst this controversy, Air Force officials revised this plan in 2001 to put forward an accelerated timeline for a new bomber. Accordingly a Next-Generation Bomber program was started with the goal of introducing a bomber in 2018, but this was canceled in 2009. This program was restarted as the Long Range Strike Bomber which resulted in the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider, currently expected to enter service in 2026–2027.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Global Strike Command</span> Major command of the United States Air Force responsible for strategic and nuclear forces

The Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC provides combat-ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in support of combatant commanders. Air Force Global Strike Command is the Air Force's service component to the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).

A sixth-generation fighter is a conceptualized class of jet fighter aircraft design more advanced than the fifth-generation jet fighters that are currently in service and development. Several countries have announced the development of a national sixth-generation aircraft program, including the United States, Russia and China, while Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Sweden have joined together in collaborative multinational programs in an effort to spread development costs. The first sixth-generation fighters are expected to enter service in the 2030s.

The AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) is a full-performance active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar for the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and other aircraft developed by Northrop Grumman. In a 2013 competition, Lockheed Martin selected SABR as the AESA radar for the F-16 modernization and update programs of the United States Air Force and Republic of China Air Force. 5th Generation Fighter Radar Capability for the 4th Gen Aircraft. The SABR APG-83 is an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) fire control radar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T-X program</span> US Air Force advanced trainer acquisition program

The T-X program is a United States Air Force development and acquisition program for a new two-seat jet trainer to replace the Northrop T-38 Talon. On 27 September 2018, the US Air Force selected the Boeing/Saab T-X entry to become its trainer aircraft. The new aircraft was given the designation and name "T-7 Red Hawk" in September 2019. The Air Force's initial plan is to purchase 351 T-7s, and has an option to purchase up to 475.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Range Strike Bomber</span> US Air Force program in support of Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider development

The Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) is a development and acquisition program to develop a long-range strategic bomber for the United States Air Force, intended to be a heavy-payload stealth aircraft capable of delivering thermonuclear weapons. Initial capability is planned for the mid-2020s. A request for proposal to develop the aircraft was issued in July 2014. The Air Force plans to procure at least 100 of the LRS-B aircraft at a cost of an estimated $550 million each, with potentially as many as 200 units being considered to enter service eventually. A development contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman for its B-21 Raider in October 2015. Due to the sensitive nature much about the project is highly classified and little information is available to the public. As of late 2019, it was known that construction of the aircraft had commenced, and on December 2, 2022, it was unveiled to the public.

The Northrop Grumman RQ-180 is an American stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveillance aircraft intended for contested airspace. As of 2019, there had been no images or statements released, but growing evidence points to the existence of the RQ-180 and its use in regular front-line service. The use of the nickname "White Bat" in a 2021 video released by the US Air Force Profession of Arms Center of Excellence (PACE) suggests that the military may be preparing to release information on the RQ-180.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider</span> American stealth bomber aircraft under development

The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is an American strategic bomber under development for the United States Air Force (USAF) by Northrop Grumman. As part of the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) program, it is to be a long-range, stealth intercontinental strategic bomber for the USAF, able to deliver conventional and thermonuclear weapons. The Air Force intends the B-21 to replace the Rockwell B-1 Lancer and Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit by 2040, and possibly the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress after that.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGM-35 Sentinel</span> Intercontinental ballistic missile

The LGM-35 Sentinel, also known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), is a future American land-based intercontinental ballistic missile system (ICBM) currently in the early stages of development. It is slated to replace Minuteman III missiles, currently stationed in North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Nebraska from 2029 through 2075. In 2020 the Department of the Air Force awarded defense contractor Northrop Grumman a $13.3 billion sole-source contract for development of the LGM-35 after Boeing withdrew its proposal. Northrop Grumman's subcontractors on the LGM-35 include Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Bechtel, Honeywell, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Parsons, Textron, and others.

References

  1. ↑ "RL34406, Air Force Next-Generation Bomber: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. 22 December 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Air Force Long-Range Strike Aircraft White Paper (Report). U.S. Air Force Research - U.S. Department of Defense. November 2001. p. 27. Retrieved 28 April 2021– via Digital Commons University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The last bomber service life analysis was accomplished in FY98-FY99. This study indicated a Mission Area Assessment was required in 2013 to support a bomber replacement IOC date of 2037
  3. ↑ Tirpak, John A. (1 June 1999). "The Bomber Roadmap". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  4. ↑ Axe, David (19 May 2014). "Will the $55 billion bomber program fly?". Center for Public Integrity . pp. V, 27. Retrieved 20 April 2021. the Air Force believed it could wait until 2037 for a new bomber. But in 2001, a Defense Department strategy review warned that another world power could launch a surprise attack on a U.S. ally that U.S. ground and naval forces could not prevent
  5. ↑ 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review Report (PDF). Department of Defense. 30 September 2001. pp. 30–31. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  6. ↑ Watts, Barry D. (April 2005). "Long-Range Strike: Imperatives, Urgency and Options" (PDF). Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments: 15. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  7. ↑ Sirak, Michael (11 June 2003). "In striking distance". Jane's Defence Weekly : 28.
  8. ↑ "Affecting the Strategic Battlespace with Effects-Based Public Affairs", Air chronicles, Air force, Spring 2006.
  9. ↑ "Bombs Away: How the Air Force Sold Its Risky New $55 Billion Plane", Wired, March 2012.
  10. ↑ Grant 2007, pp. 17–20.
  11. ↑ Grant 2007, pp. 6–7.
  12. ↑ Warwick, Graham. "USAF says next bomber will be subsonic and manned". Flight International, 3 May 2007.
  13. ↑ Warwick, Graham. "Speed bump: USAF sets modest goals for new bomber". Flight International, 12 June 2007.
  14. ↑ "Why the US Wants a New Bomber", The Diplomat, 6 May 2012.
  15. ↑ Ehrhard, Tom. "An Air Force Strategy for the Long Haul". Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, 17 September 2009.
  16. ↑ Hebert, Adam J (October 2006). "The 2018 Bomber and Its Friends". Air Force magazine . Retrieved 30 March 2010.
  17. ↑ "Senior Air Force Generals To Skeptics: We Can Field A New Bomber In 2018". Archived 1 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine Defense Daily, 26 September 2007.
  18. ↑ Boeing, Lockheed to work on new bomber, UPI, 25 January 2008, archived from the original on 15 August 2009.
  19. ↑ Boeing and Lockheed Martin Team for Next Generation Bomber Program (press release), Boeing, 2008, archived from the original on 28 January 2008.
  20. ↑ "Boeing, Lockheed team up on bomber project", The Star, 25 January 2008.
  21. ↑ "Ultra Stealth", Aviation Week, 26 May 2008.
  22. ↑ "Boeing, Lockheed to team up against Northrop for bomber contract", Seattle Times, NW source.
  23. ↑ "Gates says next-generation bomber might fly without pilot", Congress Daily, Government Executive, 14 May 2009.
  24. ↑ Gates sees more changes to US weapons in 2011, Reuters, 15 April 2009.
  25. ↑ "USAF Bomber Grounded by More than Budget", Aviation Week.
  26. ↑ "Schwartz: Service needs long-range capability", Air Force Times, May 2009
  27. ↑ RL34406, "Air Force Next-Generation Bomber: Background and Issues for Congress" Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Congressional Research Service, 18 September 2009
  28. ↑ "Boeing, Lockheed Put Bomber Partnership on Ice". Defense news. 1 March 2010. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  29. ↑ "Leader says future bomber won't go solo". Air Force Times. July 2010.
  30. ↑ "Air Force secretary: 'Make hard choices now'". Govexec. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  31. ↑ "State of the Air Force" (speech). US: U.S. Air Force. 2010. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012.
  32. ↑ Reed, John. "AFA: New bomber program 'underway'." DoD Buzz. 24 February 2012.
  33. ↑ "Northrop Grumman wins Long Range Strike Bomber contract". The Washington Post. 27 October 2015.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Majumdar, Dave. "U.S. Air Force May Buy 175 Bombers." Defense News, 23 January 2011.
  35. ↑ Grant, Greg. "Air Force chief describes future bomber." Government Executive, 31 October 2007.
  36. ↑ "U.S. Air Force: No 2009 Money for Next-Gen Bomber". Defensenews.com. Retrieved 6 September 2011.[ dead link ]
  37. ↑ Majumdar, Dave. "New bomber could conduct long-range missions." AirForce Times, 12 February 2011.
  38. ↑ The 2018 Bomber: The Case for Accelerating the Next Generation Long-Range Strike System

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.