Episode 128 — The B-21 Imperative: America’s Deterrence Bomber
May 13, 2023
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In this episode, they discuss the importance of renewing America's long-range strike force with the B-21 in response to global challenges and the current state of America's bomber fleet. They also explore the significance of bomber task force missions, the importance of modernizing the nuclear triad, and the need for a properly sized bomber force for deterrence. They emphasize the need for sufficient funding and resources for the B-21 program and next-generation munitions.
The current bomber force falls short of what is needed for deterrence and military operations against peer adversaries, highlighting the pressing demand for more bombers, such as the B-21, to renew America's long-range strike force and ensure the right capabilities and capacity.
Bombers play a vital role in joint operations and nuclear deterrence, serving as powerful deterrence tools against peer adversaries, and the United States needs a modernized nuclear triad and a robust bomber force to effectively counter aggression.
Deep dives
The Importance of Bombers in America's Arsenal
Bombers are vital tools in America's arsenal due to their range, payload, mission flexibility, responsiveness, and survivability. They provide commanders with significant combat power and capacity, surpassing that of multiple fighters. However, America's bomber inventory is currently smaller and older than it has been since the founding of the Air Force, with only 141 bombers in service. To address this, programs like the B-21, America's newest bomber, are crucial for renewing America's long-range strike force and ensuring it has the right capabilities and capacity to deter aggression from peer adversaries.
The Need for a Larger and Modernized Bomber Force
The current bomber force falls short of what is needed for deterrence and military operations against peer adversaries. There is a pressing demand for more bombers, as evidenced by the growing requirements for long-range strike capabilities in regions like the Indo-Pacific and Europe. The Air Force's analysis suggests the need for at least 300 total bombers, consisting of both B-21s and existing B-2s, to meet national defense strategy requirements. The importance of bombers in deterring aggression and achieving mission objectives cannot be understated, and increasing the bomber force capacity is crucial.
The Role of Bombers in Joint Operations and Nuclear Deterrence
Bombers play a vital role in joint operations and nuclear deterrence. They provide unique capabilities, including large payloads, extended loiter times, and precision strikes, unmatched by any other aircraft or service. Bomber forces serve as powerful deterrence tools and effective means of projecting combat mass in both conventional and nuclear domains. To effectively deter peer adversaries like Russia and China, the United States needs a modernized nuclear triad and a robust bomber force that can rapidly deploy and deliver strategic strikes as well as tactical operations to counter aggression.
The Critical Need for Next-Generation Munitions
The combat effectiveness of bombers and other strike forces relies heavily on the availability of next-generation munitions. Currently, there is a shortfall in precision-guided munitions (PGMs), which are crucial for successful military operations. It is imperative to increase the stockpile of PGMs and enhance surge production capacity. Affordable mass is also a key consideration, ensuring that weapons are cost-effective and can be procured in sufficient quantities for peer conflicts. Additionally, there is a need to expand anti-ship munitions inventory, addressing one of the most pressing munitions shortfalls in maritime strike capabilities.
In Episode 128 of the Aerospace Advantage, The B-21 Imperative: America’s Deterrence Bomber, John Baum chats with Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.) and Col Mark Gunzinger, USAF (Ret.) about the USAF’s newest combat aircraft.
The ability to conduct long-range strikes anywhere, anytime in large numbers has been a decisive U.S. military advantage for more than 70 years. Today, this dominance is severely diminished given capacity cuts and deferred modernization. Today’s inventory of aging B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s is a third of the size of the nation’s 1989 bomber force. This inventory is simply too small and lacks the attributes necessary to fly against modern threats. The good news is the Air Force will soon field the B-21 Raider, the world’s most advanced stealthy bomber. The continuing challenge will be to ensure the B-21 program is resourced to rapidly acquire an inventory that meets operational demands. We can’t repeat the same kind of budget-driven decisions that cut nearly all the service’s advanced combat aircraft purchases since the Cold War. Join us to learn about what it will take to make B-21 succeed.
Credits:
Host: John "Slick" Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Producer: Shane Thin
Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey
Guest: Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute
Guest: Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute