WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — A list of possible names for the B-21 strategic bomber has been narrowed down after holding a naming contest for the aircraft, the US Air Force public information office said in a statement on Tuesday.
"We received an overwhelming number of nominations, which to me is a testament to how invested our Airmen are in the future of their Air Force," Deborah Lee James, secretary of the US Air force, stated in the statement. "Thank you to everyone who submitted, and we're looking forward to announcing the B-21's name in the fall."
The winning entry is expected to be announced at a military conference in September.
US-based defense contractor Northrup Grumman has been awarded a contract to develop the strategic bomber, which is expected to cost more than $500 million each.
The Air Force could spend $50 billion on up to 100 of the new aircraft, according to reports.
