B-21 Raider: Can America’s new stealth bomber outsmart Russia’s S-500 defences?

America’s B-21 Raider is the world’s newest stealth bomber, of the US Air Force; each unit will cost around $750 million. Russia’s S-500 air defence system claims it can spot and shoot down stealth aircraft.

The B-21 Raider is built for stealth. It uses new materials, hidden engines, and a flying wing shape to avoid radar. Its design is even more advanced than the B-2 Spirit, with a smaller radar cross-section and all-angle low observability.

The B-21 can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons. Reports say it holds up to 13 tonnes of bombs, including B61 and B83 nuclear bombs, as well as precision-guided missiles. Its range is about 12,000 km, allowing it to strike targets worldwide.

Russia’s S-500 Prometheus is a new air defence system with a range of 600 kilometres for ballistic targets and up to 400 kilometres for airborne targets. It uses advanced radar to detect stealth aircraft, hypersonic missiles, and even satellites. Russian media claim it can track and target the latest US bombers and fighters.

The S-500 uses multiple radar bands and fast computers to find stealth aircraft. Russian experts say it can spot targets that older systems miss. However, US sources argue the B-21’s stealth is designed to defeat S-500, and more like these new radars.

Pentagon officials say the B-21’s stealth and electronic warfare tools give it a good chance to slip past the S-500. Russian analysts counter that the S-500 is made to counter any bomber; however, they admit real combat is the only true test.