The Pentagon has released new test footage of the highly anticipated B-21 Raider stealth bomber in flight, offering a glimpse of the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation aircraft.
The footage was revealed during the Air and Space Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, where military leaders and industry experts shared updates on the bomber’s progress.
A B-21 Raider conducts flight testing, which includes ground testing, taxiing, and flying operations in California. pic.twitter.com/nAZ0V3uTUE
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) September 19, 2024
According to a press release from the U.S. Air Force, the B-21 is set to replace the ageing B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers, becoming the backbone of the Air Force’s strategic bomber fleet. The B-21 will play a critical role as the “air leg” of the nuclear triad, capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions.
The programme is advancing steadily, with William Bailey, Director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, and Thomas Jones, President of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, discussing key milestones. Bailey highlighted the recent completion of a static test on a ground-based asset, which confirmed the aircraft’s structural integrity. The B-21 is now undergoing fatigue testing to assess its durability further.
Jones noted the increased pace of testing, with two flight tests being conducted each week. He stressed that the goal is to make the B-21 a reliable, “daily flyer” to meet the Air Force’s global strike requirements.
The aircraft’s adaptability and flexibility were key points of discussion, with Bailey emphasising that the B-21 has been designed to remain versatile in response to evolving global threats.
Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota will be the first operational base for the B-21 Raider, followed by Whiteman AFB in Missouri and Dyess AFB in Texas. The U.S. Air Force aims to produce at least 100 B-21 bombers in the coming years as it transitions from its legacy aircraft to this new stealth platform.
General Thomas Bussiere, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, spoke about the bomber’s significance in maintaining the U.S. strategic advantage: “Nobody on the planet can do what we’re doing right now. Nobody on the planet can build an exquisite, technologically advanced platform like the B-21.”