New pictures present America’s extremely secret, $745-million stealth nuclear bomber taking to the air for what is outwardly its first, publicly acknowledged, flight take a look at.
The B-21 Raider was unveiled in December 2022, however the US authorities has up to now been discreet about displaying off this cutting-edge, radar-evading plane.
The modern bomber was proven flying for the primary time because it undergoes flight testing, in photos launched Wednesday, one essential step earlier than a minimal first order of 100 of those stealth craft might be authorised for manufacture.
The B-21 has been described as a ‘dual-capable bomber’ — in a position to launch each typical and nuclear ordinance.
This photograph, launched by the US Air Drive on 22 Might 2024, exhibits a B-21 Raider conducting floor testing, taxiing and flying operations at Edwards Air Drive Base in California
The US Air Drive’s B-21 stealth bomber plane is touted to be just about ‘invisible’ to all enemy stealth radars and can included the most recent options in navy tech
This month, throughout testimony on the Senate Armed Companies committee, Andrew Hunter, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Drive for Acquisition, Expertise and Logistics, asserted that the B-21’s flight testing is presently on schedule.
‘We’re within the flight take a look at program, the flight take a look at program is continuing nicely,’ he stated.
‘It’s doing what flight take a look at packages are designed to do, which helps us be taught concerning the distinctive traits of this platform, however in a really, very efficient manner.’
Assistant Secretary Hunter later defined that that is the primary plane that’s extra digital than not, which contributes to this system assembly necessities.
The USA Air Drive’s new stealth bomber was caught in motion for the primary time by eagle-eyed aircraft spotters final November, however made a extra official take a look at flight this Might
The B-21 is a long-range, extremely survivable, penetrating strike stealth bomber that may incrementally substitute the B-1 and B-2 bombers and can play a serious position supporting nationwide safety goals and aiding US allies and companions throughout the globe.
The B-21 weapon system is manufactured underneath the Air Drive’s contract with Northrop Grumman.
‘It’s designed with an open programs structure, enabling speedy insertion of mature applied sciences, and permitting the plane to stay efficient as threats evolve over time,’ in keeping with the US Air Drive.
‘The plane is anticipated to enter service within the mid-2020s with a manufacturing purpose of a minimal of 100 plane,’ the navy department continued of their assertion.
The B-21 taxiing at Edwards Air Drive Base, California
The B-21 Raider is a nuclear-capable craft and the primary of its type to be launched for the reason that finish of the Chilly Battle.
Whereas press releases described the current take a look at flights because the B-21’s first, it was beforehand noticed conducting a take a look at flight in California late final yr, as confirmed by Air Drive officers.
Aviation photographer Matt Hartman caught the brand new warplane in motion at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale facility in November 2023, recording video of this much less public take a look at flight from a street close to Air Drive Plant 42 Palmdale, California.
Aviation photographer Matt Hartman caught the brand new warplane in motion at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale facility final November, recording video of a much less official take a look at flight
His footage exhibits the uniquely formed B-21 Raider roaring by means of the sky, flanked by one other aircraft, earlier than it takes a pointy flip.
There are six take a look at aircrafts being produced by aerospace firm Northrop Grumman and each is projected to value $750 million.
It’s touted to be just about ‘invisible’ to all enemy stealth radars and can outfitted with the most recent options in navy tech.
The B-21 Raider weighs round 30,000 kilos, has a wing span of 172 toes and might attain most speeds of 621 miles per hour.
Air Drive International Strike Commander Thomas A. Bussier known as the craft the ‘future spine of the bomber fleet,’ at a November unveiling occasion.
Long run, the US Air Drive hopes to have no less than 220 of them to exchange previous B-1 and B-2 bombers.
The service has estimated that this system will probably value no less than $203billion over 30 years to develop, buy and preserve the B-21 fleet.
The B-21 is a part of the Pentagon’s efforts to modernize all three legs of its nuclear triad, which additionally contains silo-launched nuclear ballistic missiles and submarine-launched warheads, because it shifts from the counterterrorism campaigns of current many years to fulfill China’s speedy navy modernization.
