Flying Wings: XB-35, YB-49, B-2 Spirit, A-12A Avenger II, B-21 Raider, etc.

[seadude]

According to various news sources, the US Air Force's new B-21 Raider stealth bomber is (Hopefully) expected to make it's public debut this week Friday.
Links:
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/first-b-21-raider-test-jet-aims-to-more-closely-mirror-production-examples
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/podcast-guide-b-21-rollout

I don't know about anybody else, but I'm excited for it. 
And in 6 months or a year's time, I hope we get a good quality model kit of it. 
My preference would be 1/72 or 1/48 scale. But I suspect it'll be 1/72 to match the same scale of the Testor and Modelcollect B-2 bomber kits.

[Dizzyfugu]

Might just be a scaled-down re-boxing of existing B-2 kits... 

[PR19_Kit]

Might just be a scaled-down re-boxing of existing B-2 kits... 

Pretty much like the real thing then? 

[seadude]

Might just be a scaled-down re-boxing of existing B-2 kits... 

Pretty much like the real thing then? 

That's the thing. I'm not sure I understand the Air Force's decision to make a slightly smaller stealth bomber? I don't understand the reasoning. Even the payload the B-21 is supposed to carry is smaller than the B-2's. Did the Air Force go smaller in order to cut costs? Or were they hoping a smaller stealthy aircraft could penetrate more advanced defenses? Actually, size of an aircraft isn't as important as the SHAPE when making it stealthy.

[jcf]

Precision guided weapons have gotten smaller, and because of their accuracy they don't need as much explosive filling.
Which means that the B-21 having a lower payload weight doesn't automatically mean it carries fewer bombs.

[Jesse220]

The New B-21 looks fascinating

[seadude]

And there it is, folks. The new B-21 Raider stealth bomber. Make of it what you will.
Article link: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/this-is-the-b-21-raider-stealth-bomber

[comrade harps]

A tightly controlled event, 1 head-on camera angle, spooky lighting, no view from the sides or from above and definitely denied a rear view. There was a moment of glint from the side windows, which is interesting (not visually stealthy, that). No one flying over with a camera this time for a plan view.

The flying wing has a deep central fuselage, it looks extremely smooth and the engine intakes appear shallow from that angle.

[seadude]

And a clearer picture I found on Facebook.

[Old Wombat]

So, the USAF has finally caught on to anti-flash white!

[NARSES2]

So, the USAF has finally caught on to anti-flash white!

I now have visions of Del Boy driving away from Palmdale in his Reliant van smoking a huge cigar and with a smirk on his face      (only Brits and some "colonials" may get this reference)

[Old Wombat]

'Twas not, actually, a show I watched but I get the reference!  

[PR19_Kit]

Gosh, it looks like a small B-2. What a surprise.....................NOT!

[jcf]

Gosh, it looks like a small B-2. What a surprise.....................NOT!

What else would it look like? 

That it was going to be a flying wing along B-2 lines has been known all along, only the details were missing.

[seadude]

The B-21 Raider has finally flown!
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/b-21-raider-has-flown-for-the-first-time