Bombers to Remain in Mid-Missouri as USAF Plans to Phase in New B-21s at Whiteman AFB

[Boats]

Bombers to Remain in Mid-Missouri as USAF Plans to Phase in New B-21s at Whiteman AFB
By: FEB 18, 2018 SOURCE: MCCLATCHY
RE: http://www.aviationpros.com/news/123...t-whiteman-afb

Feb. 16--It looks like America's bomber force will remain in mid-Missouri as the U.S. Air Force makes plans to modernize this fleet within the Fiscal Year 2019 President's Budget Request.

The plan to replace older bombers with the new B-21 bomber at Whiteman Air Force Air Base received bipartisan support from Missouri officials.

According to a February 12 press release from the USAF, the budget request details their plan to update the B-52 Stratofortress fleet and continue modification to the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit while acquiring the new B-21 Raiders. The Raider has been under development by Northrop Grumman since a request for proposal to develop the aircraft was issued in 2014. Expected to be ready by the mid-2020s, the B-21 will CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Feb. 16--It looks like America's bomber force will remain in mid-Missouri as the U.S. Air Force makes plans to modernize this fleet within the Fiscal Year 2019 President's Budget Request.

The plan to replace older bombers with the new B-21 bomber at Whiteman Air Force Air Base received bipartisan support from Missouri officials.

According to a February 12 press release from the USAF, the budget request details their plan to update the B-52 Stratofortress fleet and continue modification to the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit while acquiring the new B-21 Raiders. The Raider has been under development by Northrop Grumman since a request for proposal to develop the aircraft was issued in 2014. Expected to be ready by the mid-2020s, the B-21 will be a long range, stealth bomber capable of delivering conventional or thermonuclear weapons.

According to "Air Force Plans to Retire B-2s and B-1s in Preparation for New B-21 Raider" February 12, 2018 in Popular Mechanics, the overall plan is to purchase 100 Raiders at a total cost of $80 billion for the jets and related equipment.

The B-21 is projected to provide even greater capability with lower maintenance costs to the taxpayer, according to a press release issued February 12 by Democratic U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill.

Secretary of the Air Force Heather A. Wilson visited Whiteman last year at McCaskill's invitation. The two met with members of the 509th Bomb Wing, including B-2 pilots, to discuss firsthand the unit's critical role in the nation's defense.

"As part of our decisions presented in the FY19 President's Budget, the Air Force will update the B-52 bomber fleet and fund development of replacement engines," Wilson said in the USAF press release. "We will also continue necessary B-1 and B-2 modifications to keep them relevant until the B-21s come on line."

As B-21s come on line, the B-1s and B-2s will be incrementally retired, the timeline dependent on the B-21 production and delivery, the release added.

The plan is, of course, subject to Congressional approval