The unveiling of new official photos of the B-21 Raider by the US Air Force marks a significant milestone since its inaugural flight last year. These images, capturing the aircraft in various stages, including take-off, flight, and hangar storage at Edwards Air Force Base, offer rare insights into this highly classified bomber.
Taken in January and early April, these photos depict the B-21 engaging in crucial flight tests, encompassing ground operations, taxiing, and actual flying maneuvers. Such testing is pivotal as the B-21 progresses toward its role as the backbone of the US Air Force’s bomber fleet. Engineered to penetrate the most heavily defended threat environments worldwide, the B-21 Raider boasts the range, access, and payload capacity to effectively target any adversary.
The B-21 Raider is designed for stealthy, long-range attacks. Its unique design and advanced technology have captured public imagination, with some comparing it to a spacecraft. This highlights the bomber’s cutting-edge capabilities and the significant technological advancements made by the US Air Force.
Take a closer look at the B-21 Raider — the world’s first sixth generation aircraft. This changes everything. #DefiningPossible #RiseoftheRaider pic.twitter.com/rZIINucOug
— Northrop Grumman (@northropgrumman) December 3, 2022
The program remains on schedule to deliver aircraft to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in the mid-2020s. Ellsworth will serve as the primary operating base for the B-21 and the site for its formal training unit.
Regarding flight testing and development, Air Force acquisition executive Andrew Hunter reported positive progress, affirming that the B-21’s test flight program is proceeding effectively. He emphasized the valuable insights gained through these tests, noting that significant milestones are anticipated later this year. While the exact number of completed test flights remains undisclosed, plans are in place to transition B-21 test aircraft into operational configuration following developmental and operational testing phases.
As a developmental penetrating strike bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions, the B-21 Raider is slated to replace the aging fleet of B-1s and B-2s. With a projected wingspan of approximately 140 feet, the B-21 represents a smaller yet more technologically advanced successor to its predecessors. The overarching goal of the B-21 program is to bolster mission effectiveness and joint interoperability in highly advanced threat environments, thereby reinforcing US deterrence and strategic superiority.