The U.S. Air Force released more photos of its new stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, on Wednesday as the penetrating attack aircraft continues to operate through flight testing.
The photos, taken in January and April, show the sleek new bomber in the midst of its testing – including ground testing, taxiing and flight operations – at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The new images come as the long-range aircraft moves closer to entering service later this decade.
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Andrew Hunter said earlier this month that the B-21 flight test program is “going well » and was on time to meet delivery deadlines and schedules.
“It does what flight test programs are designed to do, which helps us uncover the unique characteristics of this platform, but in a very, very efficient way,” Hunter said in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 8.
A B-21 Raider conducts flight testing, which includes ground testing, taxiing and flight operations, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Courtesy photo of the 412th Test Wing
The B-21 is the U.S. military’s first strategic bomber in more than 30 years. Development began in 2015, and the Pentagon unveiled the Raider to the public in December 2022. Nearly a year later, in November 2023, the aircraft finally made its highly anticipated first flight. Following successful ground and flight testing, it was cleared to enter initial low-rate production.
The U.S. Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office manages the acquisition program with a strategy of building test bombers “as representative of production as possible,” the 412th Test Wing said in a statement Wednesday.
“Rather than a traditional flight prototype approach, B-21 test aircraft are built to include mission systems using the same manufacturing processes and tools as production aircraft,” said the Wing, adding that “this development approach laid the foundation for production to begin further.” quickly.”
The B-21 is expected to enter service in the second half of the decade. The military aims to produce at least 100 of these planes. The Raider, according to American officials, should gradually replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers.
The B-21 Raider program at Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing facility at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Courtesy photo of the 412th Test Wing
Pentagon leaders have stressed that B-21s will be the “backbone” of America’s future bomber fleet. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praised the plane’s stealth capabilities, saying decades of advancements in low-visibility technology were necessary for the bomber’s development.
“Even the most sophisticated air defense systems will have difficulty detecting a B-21 in the sky,” Austin said during the aircraft presentation.
Northrop Grumman, which makes the bomber, billed the plane as the “world’s first sixth-generation aircraft.” It can be armed with standoff and direct attack munitions and will be capable of carrying out conventional and nuclear strikes.
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