The US’s highly secret, $745-million stealth nuclear bomber took to the air for what was its first, publicly acknowledged, flight test.
The B-21 Raider was unveiled in December 2022, but the US government has so far been discreet about showing off this cutting-edge, radar-evading aircraft.
The sleek bomber was shown flying for the first time as it undergoes flight testing, in pictures released last week, one crucial step before a minimum first order of 100 of these stealth craft can be approved for manufacture.
The B-21 has been described as a “dual-capable bomber” — able to launch both conventional and nuclear ordinance.
This month, during testimony at the Senate Armed Services Committee, Andrew Hunter, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, asserted that the B-21’s flight testing is currently on schedule.
“We are in the flight test program, the flight test program is proceeding well,” he said.
“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.”
Assistant Secretary Hunter later explained that this is the first aircraft that is more digital than not, which contributes to the program meeting requirements.
US nuclear bomber to enter service in the mid-2020s
The B-21 is a long-range, highly survivable, penetrating strike stealth bomber that will incrementally replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers and will play a major role supporting national security objectives and assisting US allies and partners across the globe.
The B-21 weapon system is manufactured under the Air Force’s contract with Northrop Grumman.
“It is designed with an open systems architecture, enabling rapid insertion of mature technologies, and allowing the aircraft to remain effective as threats evolve over time,” according to the US Air Force.
“The aircraft is expected to enter service in the mid-2020s with a production goal of a minimum of 100 aircraft,” the military branch continued in their statement.
The B-21 Raider is a nuclear-capable craft and the first of its kind to be introduced since the end of the Cold War.
While press releases described the recent test flights as the B-21’s first, it was previously spotted conducting a test flight in California late last year, as confirmed by Air Force officials.
There are six test aircraft being produced by aerospace company Northrop Grumman and each one is projected to cost $750 million.
It is touted to be virtually “invisible” to all enemy stealth radars and will equipped with the latest features in military tech.
The B-21 Raider weighs around 30,000 pounds, has a wing span of 172 feet and can reach maximum speeds of 621 miles per hour.
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