Once the spearhead of Allied victory in World War II and the backbone of nuclear deterrence in the early Cold War, strategic bombers are often dismissed today as relics of a bygone era. Yet three powers, the United States, Russia, and China, continue to field formidable bomber fleets. Washington employs them for precision strikes in contested airspace across the globe, Moscow for launching missile salvos into theatres like Syria and Ukraine, and Beijing as a key secondary strike asset. Now, with all three preparing to unveil next-generation platforms that promise capabilities well beyond their current fleets, the question is clear: how will these aircraft shape the battlefields of 2025, and which nation will bring its new bomber to the skies first? Our panel of experts examines the evolving role of strategic bombers and what these upcoming platforms could mean for the balance of power in the air.
On the panel this week:
- Col. David Gordon (United States Air Force)
- Valeriy Akimenko (Conflict Studies Research Centre)
- Bill Sweetman (Airpower Consultant)
Intro - 00:00
PART I - 03:01
PART II - 27:40
PART III - 46:40
Outro - 1:02:27
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