The U.S. Air Force's growing concerns about China's rapid development of its air power are prompting the exploration of new roles for the B-21 "Raider" strategic bomber, requiring the B-21 not only to serve as a bomber but also as an air-to-air missile carrier, effectively transforming the B-21 into a "weapons platform."

The U.S. Air Force estimates that by 2030, the Chinese Air Force will have more than 1,000 J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters, along with numerous reliable bases. In contrast, due to limited range, the number of air-to-air missiles the U.S. can deploy during wartime is limited. Therefore, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command have requested that B-21s equipped with air-to-air capabilities be included in military exercise scenarios.

However, turning the B-21 into a "weapons platform" presents a long-standing challenge for the United States: not only is there a shortage of platforms, but there is also a shortage of munitions. The service life of the AIM-120 air-to-air missiles is gradually decreasing, while the new AIM-260 air-to-air missiles are expensive and production is slow. U.S. experts admit that if a war breaks out in the Western Pacific, the U.S. missile stockpile could be depleted within a week. Another issue is the low production capacity of the B-21. Since last year, the B-21 has begun low-rate production, but it can only produce 7 to 8 B-21 "Raider" bombers per year, with the maximum annual production reaching around 10 units by the early 2030s. Although the U.S. Congress has tried to increase the annual production of the B-21 to 20 units, this plan is still on paper. The U.S. Air Force's minimum requirement for the B-21 is 100 units, while Air Force generals say they need at least 225. Currently, the second B-21 prototype has already begun weapon testing, including nuclear weapons and the new LRSO cruise missile.

Therefore, despite the ambitious B-21 program, budget and production constraints remain. The idea of a "weapons platform" is tempting, but under the current circumstances, it may just be another expensive experiment. Meanwhile, China is accelerating its pace to continuously enhance its advantages.

Original source: www.toutiao.com/article/1845036325456896/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.