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To: whyilovetexas111
For some perspective:

B-52H:
Payload - 70,000 pounds
Max Takeoff Weight: 488,000 lbs
Speed - 650 mph (Mach 0.84)
Inventory (2024) – 76

B-1B
Payload - 75,000 pounds (125,000 w/ externals)
Max Takeoff Weight: 477,000 lbs
Speed – 900+ mph (Mach 1.2)
Inventory (2025) – 45

B-2
Payload - 40,000 pounds
Max Takeoff Weight: 376,000 lbs
Speed - 630 mph (Mach 0.95)
Inventory (2025) – 19

B-21
Payload - UNK
Max Takeoff Weight: 180,000 lbs
Speed – 0.8+
Inventory (2027) – 3

4 posted on 07/17/2025 4:12:45 AM PDT by Psalm 73 ("You'll never hear surf music again" - J. Hendrix)
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To: Psalm 73
So with a similar airframe design to the B-2, I think we can roughly extrapolate the payload for the B-21:

B-2 Max Takeoff Weight is 376,000 lbs and Payload of 40,000 pounds, which is roughly 10% of its TO weight.

Using that same ratio the B-21 would have about a 18 - 20,000 lbs payload.

They had better build a LOT of 'em.

7 posted on 07/17/2025 4:37:55 AM PDT by Psalm 73 ("You'll never hear surf music again" - J. Hendrix)
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To: Psalm 73

The payload on the B2 you listed is now known to be incorrect. They just dropped two 30,000 bombs Iranian nuclear facilities.


19 posted on 07/17/2025 5:12:51 AM PDT by Fai Mao ( All Democrats are pedophiles )
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To: Psalm 73
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)

23 posted on 07/17/2025 5:48:30 AM PDT by GOP_Party_Animal (1<i>)
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To: Psalm 73

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.


26 posted on 07/17/2025 11:01:59 AM PDT by Robe
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