I think we have rehashed these before.
Why would the B-21A not have a radar? B-52, B-1B and B-2A all do? B-2A is halfway through it’s radar modernisation project, adding AESA arrays to the aircraft...
B52 also had a rear gunner. B1 is really pre stealth as we know it. B-52 was pre stealth. F-117 had no radar and the B-2 had no radar until block 20 and block 30 things were more operational.
Submarines have radar too, doesn't mean they use them the same as surface ships. I'm not trying to be definitive here, just saying, hey, its a very different setup. Its been estimated the radar alone on the B2 contributes 6-10% of its purchase and operating costs and may be the trickiest part of the project.
Unlike a F-35 which can afford emissions as a true multirole low observable aircraft that can fall back on old party tricks, B21 really becomes a sitting duck (as does the B2) if it emits pretty much anything, even a mono-pulse at the wrong time. On a platform where you are really chasing down things to 6 sigma, integrating a giant transmitter is, expensive, time consuming and problematic, particularly one you never hope to use.
If conventional, nuclear, precision strike, stand-off precision strike, anti-shipping strike and ISR missions doesn’t represent “multirole” then I guess it’s not multi-role.
All roles of a bomber. I'm pointing out its a bombing platform rather than a general multirole fighter/bomber platform. Yes, you would expect a strategic bomber, to be able to perform strategic bombing and strike. If it blows its cover, we can't expect it to fire off some AMRAAM and do some evasive maneuvers, fold its wings and high tail it out of there with a dump and burn and thunderstruck playing over coms.
How are we getting targeting data on shipping strikes? What are the rules of engagement for that? How are we EW in our land strike to degrade defenses. How are we ensuring our logistics to support this platform in its operations?
B1 is fantastic at antishipping role, because its kinda like a giant big F-111. It has range, speed, altitude. Its not trying to be particularly stealthy, but has good RCS for it size. The B2 isn't like that. But eventually the B1 will be gone and the B2 will have to take on that mission.
However, it should be noted, unlike Australia, the US has a large and quite capable naval aviation, that has some moderate antishipping capability. The USN was never really reliant on the B1 or B2 being the antishipping platform of choice.
It doesn't mean the USAF will go around on its lonesome, plinking random shipping from a B2 that is hunting targets with its radar. Either will the B21. Targets would probably need to be identified with another aircraft, like a P8... (or F-35, possibly MC-55/E7) or a ship (arg!).. I just think we need to clearly identify how that type of aircraft will work for non-nuclear Australia who doesn't have all the USAF/USN capabilities. Not that it can't do it, just that we may need to think about how and what we need to employ it in our sovereign role.
Also when would Australian deliveries of the B21 start? 2030? 2040? Its in development, I definitely think, attach and learn, but we are still some way off from MOTS and deliveries starting next week.
Should it come to pass, the howls of outrage for us acquiring a nuclear capable strategic bomber AND nuclear powered submarines, will be absolutely glorious…
Maybe we can tap this as some form of energy.
All we need then is a long range ballistic missile with hypersonic entry.
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