A penetrator is a long-range bomber aircraft designed to intrude against and penetrate enemy defenses.[1] The term is mostly applied to aircraft that fly at low altitude to avoid radar, a strategic counterpart to the shorter-ranged tactical interdictor designs like the TSR-2 and F-111. The term can be applied to any aircraft that is designed to survive over enemy airspace, and has been used for the penetration fighter designs intended to escort bombers.[2]
The classic penetrator design is the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, where the term was first widely used.[1][3][lower-alpha 1] The larger Tupolev Tu-160 is also a member of this class. Other aircraft, like the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and some versions of the F-111 have also been adapted to this role. More modern designs, like the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, can be technically classified as penetrators, but the term is not generally applied to these aircraft. The mission for the Next-Generation Bomber has been described as "penetrate and persist".[4]
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