Size Matters Not for the B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber

National Security Journal ^ | 7/16/2025 | Caleb Larson

[Psalm 73]

I saw that and think it depends on source - B-2 payload must be closer to 60 - 65K lbs. But I cannot imagine it's much more than that with a TO weight of 376K

Which would push the B-21 payload closer to 35,000 lbs.

So maybe one MOP and a well-stocked fridge...

[T.B. Yoits]

The British Mosquito had the same payload as a B-17. It had to be kept secret from the US.

That's comparing internal payload only and for when the B-17 was loaded with guns, ammunition, and fuel for long range missions.

Otherwise, the B-17 could carry a payload more than 4X greater (internal and external) than the Mosquito.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

More perspective:

B-17 Flying Fortress
Data (based on historical records):
• Payload: ~17,600 lbs (typical bomb load, varied by mission; max ~20,000 lbs)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 65,500 lbs
• Speed: ~287 mph (max speed, not Mach equivalent due to subsonic nature)

B-29 Superfortress
Data (based on historical records):
• Payload: ~20,000 lbs (typical bomb load; max ~22,000 lbs)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 133,500 lbs
• Speed: ~357 mph (max speed)

[Psalm 73]

Thanks. And to think we produced thousands of 'em.

And EVERYTHING pales in comparison to the B-1B - I know they were expensive as heck and are VERY maintenance intensive, but they are a pure mass of whup-ass. Payload, speed, ceiling.

[Mariner]

Not only is the B-1 the prettiest aircraft ever built, it also has the highest payload of any US bomber, by far.

It’s the fastest too.

https://www.reddit.com/r/airplanes/comments/1db0jv9/i_dont_really_have_a_top_five_just_one_number_one/

[Robe]

The B-21 Raider is expected to have a payload capacity of around 30,000 pounds, which is less than the B-2 Spirit’s 40,000-pound capacity. While smaller, the B-21 is designed to carry a wide range of advanced munitions, including nuclear bombs and precision-guided weapons. It’s also designed for stealth and adaptability, allowing it to deliver payloads effectively and efficiently.

[GenXPolymath]

Imagine if the USA has built the B-1R aka the B-one-R it was to be a missile truck with the radar of a F22 and the ability to yeet nearly 100 AMRRAM or 30+ SM6 sized air to air missiles and still carry ordinance in the internal bays. It’s fixed wings would have been cheaper to make and you could stud them with missile pylons in addition to the 8 underbelly pylons of 8,000lbs each and the triple bays that hold 75,000lbs. No other aircraft could being more to the party than the BOneR

[GenXPolymath]

The B1B was designed for 75,000lbs internally in the weapons bays each large enough to hold a 8 pack of SRAMs or B83s that’s 24 cities turned to vapor. Then it has 8 external hard point’s sized to hold two ALCM each those are 3,000lbs each the hard point’s had 30” spacing lugs and 8,000lb capacity. Maxed out a B1B could haul 16 ALCM with 150KT each and 1500 mile stand off range externally. Then bring 24 B83 city busters of over a megaton each for 200ft low level penetration lay down bombing.

The Soviets were so scared of the B1B it was the second thing they demanded in the SALT treaty only the Pershing II leadership bunker killer scared them more.