Stealth Bomber Redux: Not Just an Airplane, the New B-21 Raider Is a System of Systems

Stealth Bomber Redux: Part 1 Beginnings: Jack Northrop and the Flying-Wing – The following is a multi-part series detailing the origins of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber from the YB-49 and earlier. This is the first part. 

In the mid-1970s Northrop (later Northrop Grumman) was joined by Lockheed (later Northrop Grumman). Lockheed Martin) squared off against each other for a U.S. government contract to build the world’s first operational all-spectrum Stealth aircraft. Both companies worked hard to bring in low-observables technology, which could dramatically change the nature of air warfare. It would make planes virtually invisible to radar. Lockheed won the approval of the Air Force, whose design was approved after many refinements. F-117 Nighthawk – what most people called simply the stealth fighter. 

A frontal view, backlit, of an F-117A Stealth Fighter plane. Airman Magazine’s February 1995 Issue article. “Streamlining Acquisition 101”.

Northrop had learned much and applied it to the Advanced Technology Bomber competition (ATB). Three years after the stealth fighter proposal had been rejected, Northrop defeated Lockheed to win the ATB contract. This resulted in the boomerang-like explosion. B-2 SpiritIt is a stealth bomber, the first of its kind. John K., the company’s founder, created it. “Jack” Northrop, who was the pioneer of the flying-wing concept, Looking back to the 1920s.

It was the idea of making an airplane that glides with outstretched wings as aerodynamically as possible. The company’s propeller-driven XB-35 flying-wing, which was powered by a propeller, was tinkered with over time, resulting in a few YB-35 prototypes.

The advent of jet engines meant that the Army Air Forces contracted Northrop to recast a few of the prototypes. The jet-powered YB-49. Without propellers, the new aircraft was more pure flying-wing.

 Flying-wings weren’t a common invention in the 1940s. The flight control system was still not developed enough to allow for the development of tailless planes. The two Northrop jet-powered flying wing prototypes were a failure. One of the prototypes, Northrop’s jet-powered flying-wings, broke apart mid-flight over California’s Mojave Desert. This killed all five crew members.

The Air Force Base in southern California was where the flight testing began. Renamed In memory of Captain Glen Edwards (one of the pilots who passed away), 

Although frustrated by the program’s technical issues, and encouraged by the prospect that less risky options were in the pipeline, the Air Force ended its flirtation in 1950 with Jack Northrop’s dream. The Air Force cancelled Jack Northrop’s flying-wing program and caused great pain for the aviation visionary. Aviation history is full of discarded ideas that have a new purpose.

Certain innovations are indeed possible adopted The Wright brothers designed the 1903 Flyer with counter-rotating propellers, wing-warping, and moving canard control surfaces. These features were not popular, but they later appeared on other aircraft to meet specific design criteria and mission needs.

After its demise, the flying-wing also made a comeback 30 years later. Making it possible was the realization among stealth-obsessed engineers and war planners that the baseline configuration – a flying-wing – was intrinsically suited to render the desired cloaking effect.

 Jack Northrop’s company resurrected a flying-wing in order to eliminate the control problems associated with the old YB49. Because of its unique shape and stealth capabilities, the flying-wing would finally be operationally flying.

The similarities in planform between these two countries are striking. B-2 Spirit Its forerunner in the post-World War II period tickled aviation lovers who were quick to point that the bombers were built more than three decades apart, and had identical wingspans. 172 feet.

B-2 Bomber. The B-21 Raider will have a very similar appearance.

The flying-wing was born in its practical and stealthy form in 1952. Its godfather, who had retired in 1952 from the company that he had stewarded since 1939, was now in his final years.

Jack Northrop was in his 80s and in poor health. In November 1979, he received a special security clearance to view his company’s ATB offering. This airplane had its roots in Northrop’s fertile imagination. 

Jack Northrop was asked by the company he founded 40 years ago to open a box. A scale model of a complete B-2 was inside. His hands were clasped tightly to the model and he was overcome with emotion.

According to the B-2’s creator, John CashenThe company’s special guest on that day was then named. “Now I know why God has kept me alive for 25 years.”

Northrop died in his sleep, less than a year after his dream was realized.

Philip Handleman He is an aviation author/photographer and a pilot. Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Harry T. Stewart, Jr., he coauthored Soaring To Glory: A Tuskegee Airman’s Firsthand account of World War II. On the 1997 postage stamp to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Department of the Air Force, Mr. Handleman’s photo of the Air Force Thunderbirds was included.

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