The U.S. Air Force has released striking new photos of its B-21 Raider stealth bomber, taken during recent flight and ground tests at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Edwards AFB, historically known for Chuck Yeager’s sound barrier-breaking flight in 1947, is once again at the center of aviation innovation. The base is now hosting the testing of the B-21 Raider, the first new stealth bomber design in over three decades, which will eventually replace the aging B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers.
The B-21 Raider program, initiated in 2015, achieved a significant milestone with its maiden flight in November last year. This milestone paved the way for the Pentagon to authorize Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the aircraft. Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, emphasized the progress made during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on May 8. “We are in the flight test program, the flight test program is proceeding well,” Hunter stated. “It is doing what flight test programs are designed to do, which is helping us learn about the unique characteristics of this platform, but in a very, very effective way.”
The B-21 Raider is designed to be a highly survivable, long-range penetrating strike stealth bomber, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear munitions. The aircraft’s design incorporates an open systems architecture, facilitating the rapid integration of mature technologies and ensuring its effectiveness against evolving threats.
Manufactured under a contract with Northrop Grumman, the B-21’s production strategy has been innovative from the outset. Rather than developing traditional flight prototypes, the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO) has focused on creating test aircraft that are as production-representative as possible.
Six B-21 prototypes are currently in various stages of final assembly and testing at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale, California. The Air Force’s 412th Test Wing has been managing the flight test campaign, involving a Combined Test Force (CTF) composed of personnel from both the Air Force and Northrop Grumman. The CTF test pilots have reported that “the jet is performing as expected with the aircraft flying like the simulator, reflecting the precision of the digital environment on B-21,” according to Northrop Grumman.
Relevant articles:
– USAF Releases New Flight Test Photos Of B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber , AVweb, 05/24/2024
– B-21 Raider continues flight test, production, Edwards Air Force Base, 05/22/2024
– B-21 Flight Testing, Production ‘Continues to Make Progress,’ Air Force Says, FLYING, 05/23/2024
– Simply Breathtaking: New Official Photos of B-21 Raider Bomber Just Dropped, The National Interest Online, 05/23/2024
Glad you enjoyed above story, be sure to follow TrendyDigests on Microsoft Start.