The Air Force secretary revealed Friday morning that the new long range strike-bomber will be designated the B-21, announced the service will be taking suggestions from airmen on the nickname for the plane.
Last year, the service awarded a development contract to Northrop Grumman to produce 80 to 100 of the planes, eventually costing about $80 billion.
The basic design of the plane has been kept mostly secret until now. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James unveiled an artist’s rendering of the plane during the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium on Friday in Orlando, Fla.
The designation of B-21 is a nod to the notion that this is the first bomber of the 21st century. The plane will replace B-52 and B-1 bombers.
“This aircraft represents the future for our Airmen, and [their] voice is important to this process,” James said. “The Airman who submits the selected name will help me announce it at the [Air Force Association] conference this fall.”
