
B-21 Raider: Why US wants to retire the iconic B-2 that rained bombs on Iran
Jayanta Kalita
TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Jun 29, 2025, 11:52 IST IST
While B-2 Spirit was the world's first stealth bomber, B-21 breaks new ground as the first sixth-gen aircraft, designed for AI-integrated warfare. Here's what the Raider, expected to join US Air Force in the next few years, offers
Come 2032, the US Air Force (USAF) may start phasing out one of its prized assets — the B-2 stealth bombers — which recently struck three highly fortified Iranian nuclear sites after flying 37 hours non-stop from the Missouri airbase.
Plans are underway to replace the B-2 Spirit with the more advanced sixth-generation B-21 Raider , expected to join the USAF within the next few years.

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