Traditionally, U.S. bombers have been designed primarily to strike ground targets, while air superiority missions have been the domain of fighter aircraft. However, this division of roles could be evolving.
As per latest reports, the U.S. Air Force (USAF )is considering equipping its B-21 Raider stealth bombers with air-to-air capabilities, potentially expanding their role beyond conventional strike missions.
The concept has been under consideration for some time. In October 2024, then-U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin did not rule out the B-21 Raider playing a more prominent role in future air superiority operations.
Further, in September 2025, news emerged that the USAF was studying a concept for a stealth flying-wing aircraft, potentially derived from the B-21, designed to carry dozens of air-to-air missiles.
Let’s dive into this.
#defenseupdates #b21 #usairforce
Chapters:
0:00 TITLE
00:11 INTRODUCTION
01:12 SPONSORSHIP – NordVPN
01:46 THE SITUATION
04:21 B-21 RAIDER IN AIR TO AIR ROLE
07:13 ANALYSIS
Sponsorship:
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Great video
Is it fast enough to run away after shooting? Pacific is big water.
If we are hearing about this I am sure that this concept has already been tested with other aircraft.
The B-21 can be a missile truck, and it's a jack-of-all-trades plane! What about taking a couple of them and turning them into fuel tankers?
I heard a plan earlier to turn the B2’s into air to air missile platforms. I think that would be better. I know they’re getting older and will be have to be retired, but until then. Have the B21’s ready when that happens.
I don’t see the AF buying that many though. They should buy more, but they will cut the funding and buy only about 50 or so.
How many to buy ?
Well if it can be configured for an air to air asset .
We cannot relive the F22 debacle.We must have 250 to 375 units ,while we work on a new fighter that can be a multi role air dominator.
We cannot relive the short comings of past purchases.
There is a new drone missile that carries 2 smaller air to air missiles. If those ate real the raider could be outside the battle zone , launch and be gone to rearm. The drone missile would appear from no where and engage , then the f35 and strike eagles fully armed would arrive. What does the enemy concentrate on?
B-21 with air to air missiles only makes sense for defensive actions not offensive
if they want a stealthy missile truck, the a large CCA would be better
I just hope to see this insane platform come to light, no nonsense from politicians asserting their power, if so, I'm a dreamer in the the military world, could you imagine 25 B21s coming at you in all directions, it's hard to fathom, but I love thinking about it. 145 B21, just make it 150. Why stop before you get to that halfway mark to 200. In 5 years, and the fleet is cut to 25 B21, it would be the most disappointing percument in history, another great piece from this channel.
Sell the B-21 to Australia and Japan. Super sensitive equipment can be swapped out for equipment from those countries.
They're gonna need more B-21s than 150.
A B-21 lead with B-1s or B-2s in tow loaded with long shot, among other weaponry. .
China’s J36 is designed to launch long range air to air missiles (and anti ship missiles). B-21 better catch up to the J36
Possibly the B-21 production run could be as much as 10 times that of the B-2 with the Air Force saying it could use 200 of the aircraft. Imagine the look on a future enemy's face if a mixed force of ships and carriers trying to land troops on Taiwan were faced with the sudden onslaught of 20 or 30 missiles appearing on their screens coming from several different directions, targeted at both the ships and the patrolling aircraft…and their only warning was a couple of faint blips on their screens that disappeared just as quickly as the missiles appeared.
Couldn't they build drones cheaper😮
I'm thinking it's going to be able to carry more than 35,000 lb
Aim260 truck.
300 is the bare minimum that should be bought.
This potential air-to-air capacity just adds to the reasons.
Other reasons are unique loiter and BDA abilities in stealth mode.
And the Tyranny of Distance is just another Tuesday for B-21s.
Godzilla 1 shots in so many ways. 🥲
This why we need 200 of them
With the range and payload it makes sense to use them as mussel trucks
By 2035 the debt of the USA will be around 60 to 70 trillion dollars. It would be bankrupt, I think.
FB-21 confirmed?