Samantha Masunaga
Fri, 10 November 2023 a
The new B-21 bomber takes its first flight Friday morning, Nov. 10, 2023, in Palmdale, Calif. (Matthew C. Hartman)
After years of secrecy, the B-21 Raider emerged from its Palmdale hangar Friday morning and took its first flight, soaring through the sky and giving plane enthusiasts, contractor employees and the public its first glimpse of the futuristic-looking bomber in air.
The B-21 bomber, which is being built by Northrop Grumman Corp., took off from the secretive Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale before heading north toward Edwards Air Force Base, said Matt Hartman, a photographer who was out in Palmdale in hopes of taking photos of the plane after he'd heard rumors that a flight might be imminent.
About 80 people crowded near the Palmdale Regional Airport to try to see the first flight with their own eyes. Once the bomber flew by, "you could hear a pin drop," Hartman said.
Read more: Northrop Grumman debuts new B-21 bomber as aerospace employment rebounds
The U.S. Air Force confirmed that the B-21 is in flight testing, and called it a "critical step" in the bomber's test program. Flight testing includes not just flying operations but also ground and taxiing tests. Edwards Air Force Base is in charge of testing and evaluation for the B-21.
The flight test program "moves us another step closer to reaching operational capability," Northrop Grumman said in a statement Friday. In December, Northrop Grumman unveiled the B-21 bomber for the first time, although that reveal only showcased the front of the aircraft. Technical details of the plane have so far been highly classified.
The Air Force plans to buy at least 100 B-21 stealth bombers by the mid-2030s for about $80 billion. Already, six B-21 bombers are in production, the Air Force said. The new planes will eventually replace the aging B-1 and B-2 bomber fleets.
Although the B-21's flying-wing shape looks similar to that of the B-2, it has improved stealth technology and will be more supportable and maintainable than its predecessor, which has notoriously high maintenance costs.
The bomber is designed to fly both crewed and uncrewed missions, reflecting technological updates that were not available when the B-2 was built in the 1980s.
Read more: 30 years after the B-2 took flight, Northrop is applying lessons to a new stealth bomber
The Air Force plans to get its first few B-21 bombers, which are designed to fly long-range missions while evading radar detection, by the mid-2020s. The bomber is part of the U.S. military's effort to update its nuclear triad, which includes warheads, submarines and missiles, as global rivals such as China also improve their weapons technology.
The program has boosted aerospace employment in the Antelope Valley, long known for its aerospace manufacturing jobs. In December, more than 7,000 people were employed at Northrop Grumman's Antelope Valley facilities, which is double the number there in 2015 when the company won the bomber contract.
The B-21 Raider stealth bomber is unveiled at Northrop Grumman, Dec. 2, 2022, in Palmdale, Calif. The B-21 Raider has taken its first flight, moving the futuristic warplane closer to becoming the nation's next nuclear weapons stealth bomber. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Video appears to capture first flight of the B-21 Raider, the US Air Force's newest stealth bomber
Chris Panella
Fri, 10 November 2023
The B-21 Raider after its unveiling to the public at a ceremony on December 2, 2022.US Air Force
A new video shows the first flight of the US Air Force's newest stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider.
A US Air Force spokesperson confirmed the testing of the B-21, which is the US' first new bomber in decades.
The aircraft's developer previously praised its next-gen stealth tech, long range, and payload flexibility.
A new video appears to show the long-awaited first flight of the US Air Force's newest strategic bomber and the first new stealth bomber developed in decades, the B-21 Raider.
On Friday, footage shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, by freelance photojournalist Matt Hartman showed what he said was the new B-21 Raider flying high in the sky after taking off from the Northrop Grumman Corp facility at the Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California.
Reuters captured a shot of the plane on the runway ahead of the flight.
The B-21 "Raider", the long-range stealth bomber that can be armed with nuclear weapons, rolls onto the runway at Northrop Grumman's site at Air Force Plant 42, during the first flight of the United States Air Force's B-21 "Raider", in Palmdale, California, U.S., November 10, 2023.REUTERS/David Swanson
The first flight was confirmed by US Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek, who said in a statement provided to multiple outlets that the B-21 Raider "is in flight testing." She explained that this stage "is a critical step in the test campaign managed by the Air Force Test Center and 412th Test Wing's B-21 Combined Test Force."
That's a major step for what has been touted as the "world's first sixth-generation aircraft," which was unveiled in December 2022.
At the time of that big reveal, Northrop Grumman said that its first flight was projected for sometime in 2023 and that six test planes were being built in preparation. After it was unveiled, Doug Young, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, said "the B-21 is the most advanced military aircraft ever built and is a product of pioneering innovation and technological excellence."
The aircraft the first new US stealth bomber in over 30 years, and, according to its producer, it was designed with next-generation stealth technology and long-range flight capabilities to make it adaptable to whatever missions it's needed for.
Pentagon leadership has said that the penetrating strike stealth bomber "will serve as the backbone of America's bomber force."
The "flying wing" B-21 Raider is the successor to the B-2 Spirit and is able to carry both conventional and nuclear payloads. And it is designed in such a way that it can be adapted to carry new weapons as they come about, "new weapons," the secretary of defense said last year, "that haven't even been invented yet."
Next-generation US stealth bomber capable of disguise takes first flight
David Millward
Fri, 10 November 2023
The B-21 is the first new American bomber in three decades
A next-generation stealth bomber capable of disguising itself as another object has taken to the air for the first time.
The B-21, the long-awaited successor to the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber that entered service in the late 1990s, took off from the manufacturing plant at Palmdale California on Friday morning.
Accompanied by an F-16 chase plane, the aircraft completed a 39 mile journey to Edwards Air Force Base, where further testing will take place.
“The B-21 Raider is in flight testing,” said a US Air Force spokesman.
The force is planning to build 100 of the planes, which will be capable of being flown with and without pilots.
Little has been made public about the aircraft’s capabilities.
Similar in shape to the original stealth bomber, it will be built from more advanced materials and use updated technology to make it more capable of surviving in a future conflict.
It is also said to have the ability to spoof enemy air defences by disguising itself as other objects, such as other aircraft, by controlling its electronic emissions and radar signature.
It is the first new American bomber in three decades.
The new stealth bomber rolls onto the runway at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale during its first flight - David Swanson/Reuters
“Flight testing is a critical step in the test campaign managed by the Air Force Test Centre and 412th Test Wing’s B-21 Combined Test Force to provide survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and strategic attacks against the United States, allies, and partners,” the spokesman said.
Named after the historic Doolittle Raid to strike back at Japan after Pearl Harbour, the Raider’s construction was shrouded in secrecy.
The US Air Force and manufacturer Northrop Grumman have been striving to keep the technology hidden from China, fearing it could build a version of its own.
On the ground, signal-emitting devices such as iPhones and earbuds were banned as security guards patrolled the 5,800-acre facility.
High above the plant, orbiting satellites monitored activity at the site.
In Washington, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted not to release the cost of the project, despite objections from John McCain.
By the end of last year, the cost of each aircraft was estimated at $750 million (£614 million), compared to the almost $2 billion price tag of its predecessor.
The bomber can spoof enemy air defences by disguising itself as other objects, such as other aircraft, by controlling its electronic emissions and radar signature - Gene Blevins/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
The B-21 was initially due to make its first flight in 2021 but production of the bomber was delayed by the Covid pandemic.
The project, which began in 2011, was also hit by the global economic slowdown in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It was part of America’s strategy, drawn up by the Trump administration, of maintaining all three components of its nuclear force, known as the nuclear triad.
There had been suggestions that land-based missiles would be ditched, but the stealth bomber and submarine-launched weapons would remain.
Underpinning the project is the belief that the aircraft has to be able to evade Chinese and Russian missile defences if it is to be an effective deterrent.
Later, explaining the strategy, Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, stressed its ability to carry conventional and nuclear devices.
“We are again making it plain to any potential foe: the risks and costs of aggression far outweigh any conceivable gains.”
US Air Force's new B-21 Raider "flying wing" bomber takes first flight - Reuters witness
Mike Stone and David Swanson
Updated Fri, November 10, 2023
(Reuters) -The U.S. Air Force's B-21 "Raider" bomber shaped like a flying wing took its first flight on Friday, the next step in rolling out a new fleet of long-range nuclear-capable stealth bombers built by Northrop Grumman, according to a Reuters witness.
The B-21 left Northrop's facility at the Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, at sunrise on Friday offering the first unscripted look at the new bomber which has been developed under strict security.
The plane took off at 6:51 a.m., according to a Reuters witness. Air Force leaders did not publicize the B-21's first flight, but about three dozens aviation enthusiasts and amateur photographers gathered around Plant 42 on Friday hoping to see the bomber take to the skies, according to the Reuters witness.
The B-21, which carries the same "flying wing" shape of its predecessor, the B-2, will be able to deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons around the world using long-range and mid-air refueling capabilities.
The aircraft are projected to cost approximately $550 million each in 2010 dollars, or about $750 million in today's inflation-adjusted dollars. However, the Air Force has kept other price information classified, "which makes validating the proposed cost difficult," the Congressional Research Service said in a 2021 report.
The Air Force plans to buy at least 100 of the planes and begin to replace B-1 and B-2 bombers. The B-1 costs about $60,000 per hour to operate and the B-2 costs about $65,000 per hour, according to Pentagon data.
Ann Stefanek, an Air Force spokesperson said, "The B-21 Raider is in flight testing. Flight testing is a critical step in the test campaign managed by the Air Force Test Center and 412th Test Wings B-21 Combined Test Force."
Six test aircraft are being produced now. They are being built on the same line, using the tools, processes and technicians that will build the production aircraft.
Northrop beat out a team comprised of Boeing and Lockheed Martin when it won the 2015 contract to make the bomber. Engine-maker Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems and Spirit Aerosystems are among the more than 400 suppliers in 40 states.
The B-21 was publicly unveiled in December 2022, but anticipation surrounding its first flight has been building for years.
In 2019, one top Air Force general hinted that the bomber could fly as early as December 2021, but the service later pushed that date to mid-2022. In early 2022, the Air Force further delayed it until 2023.
The B-21 program is in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase and is on track to deliver aircraft to Ellsworth Air Force Base in the mid-2020s, according to the Air Force.
Northrop is calling the plane a sixth generation aircraft given its ability to connect to other aircraft and easily integrate future weapons into its systems architecture.
The B-21 also features more durable, stealth-enabling low observable surface material that is expected to require less maintenance and decrease operations costs and downtime.
(Reporting by David Swanson in Palmdale, California and Mike Stone in Washington, additional reporting by Valerie Insinna, Editing by Franklin Paul)
The Air Force's Newest, and Highly Classified, Stealth Bomber Makes Its First Flight
Thomas Novelly
Fri, November 10, 2023
The Air Force's new highly classified nuclear-capable stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, made its first flight Friday morning, nearly one year after the multimillion-dollar aircraft was revealed to the public and as global tensions in the Pacific and Middle East continue to grow.
Images and videos of a B-21 taxiing on the runway of the Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, and later taking to the skies began circulating online early Friday morning. Ann Stefanek, an Air Force spokeswoman, confirmed to Military.com that the B-21 has begun flight testing.
"Flight testing is a critical step in the test campaign managed by the Air Force Test Center and 412th Test Wing's B-21 Combined Test Force to provide survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and strategic attacks against the United States, allies and partners," Stefanek said. "Flight testing includes ground testing, taxiing and flying operations."
Read Next: As America Celebrates Its Veterans, the Population Is Younger, More Diverse and Shrinking
Videos show the B-21 Raider slowly whooshing over Palmdale. The flight was not publicized by the Air Force, and freelance and aviation photographers were among the first to see it take off. The bomber was unveiled to the public in December 2022.
The Northrop Grumman-developed B-21 is capable of carrying conventional bombs and missiles, as well as nuclear munitions. It will play a significant role in modernizing America's nuclear triad -- the combination of aircraft, land-based missiles and submarines that can deliver a nuclear payload. The defense manufacturer was awarded the contract for the aircraft in 2015.
Northrop also makes the B-2 Spirit, the previous generation of bomber, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the B-21. That aircraft, which first flew in the 1980s, has been a backbone of U.S. force projection for decades. It was one of the first major aircraft designed as a "flying wing" that didn't have a tail, an approach that gained prominence during World War II with aircraft developed for Germany by the Horten brothers.
The B-21 was named for the U.S. Army Air Force's Doolittle Raiders, whose surprise attack against Japan during World War II boosted American morale.
Many of the details of the B-21, such as its size, payload and technology, have not been made public.
But according to an Air Force fact sheet, the B-21 was "designed to accommodate manned or unmanned operations," a reflection of the increasing reliance on unmanned aircraft by the U.S. military and the future of the pilot specialty.
The Pentagon currently plans to build 100 B-21s. The average unit cost for each bomber is around $700 million, according to the fact sheet.
Historically, aircraft purchasing estimates tend to be high, with tight budgets eventually forcing the services to cut order expectations. Budget documents show that producing the Raider program will cost around $20 billion through 2027, Military.com previously reported.
Numerous Air Force bases will have a hand in the B-21's mission.
Following extensive environmental studies, in 2021, Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, South Dakota, was selected as the first installation to receive the aircraft. It will serve as the main operating base and B-21 formal training unit.
Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas will receive the aircraft as they're built, pending environmental studies. Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, will oversee maintenance of the B-21, and Edwards Air Force Base, California, will lead the testing and evaluation of the bomber, according to the Air Force.
“Six test aircraft are being produced now," Stefanek said. "The test aircraft are being built on the same production line, using the same tools, processes and technicians that will build the production aircraft."
-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.
B-21 Raider Has Flown For The First Time (Updated)
Thomas Newdick
Fri, November 10, 2023
B-21 has flown for the first time
In one of the most significant airpower developments in recent years, the U.S. Air Force’s new B-21 Raider — the world’s second stealth bomber, at least that we know about — has taken to the air. A video taken from outside the Air Force’s storied Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, early this morning, showed the B-21, with its landing gear down, accompanied by an F-16 chase plane. Other high resolution photos have followed.
https://twitter.com/ShorealoneFilms/status/1722993343485866184
The aircraft has now headed to nearby Edwards Air Force Base, California, where formal flight testing will take place.
B-21 taking off on its way to Edwards with its wire and air data cone in trail. (Uncredited)
In a statement, Ann Stefanek, an Air Force spokesperson, told The War Zone:
“The B-21 Raider is in flight testing. Flight testing is a critical step in the test campaign managed by the Air Force Test Center and 412th Test Wing’s B-21 Combined Test Force to provide survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and strategic attacks against the United States, allies, and partners.”
Mike Henry
Mike Henry
Mike Henry
There had been growing signs in recent weeks that the B-21’s maiden flight was imminent. This included multiple daytime sightings of the first pre-production example doing taxi testing on the ground. The War Zone was the first to report that the Raider had started undergoing taxi tests, typically the last step for an aircraft before flight testing, back in October.
The first pre-production B-21 in a hangar at Plant 42. USAF
“The B-21 is conducting taxi activities. Extensive testing evaluates systems, components, and functionalities," an Air Force spokesperson had told The War Zone on November 9 when asked for an update on Raider's activities. "This testing allows us to mitigate risks, optimize design, and enhance operational effectiveness. Rigorous testing is a critical step in the B-21 flight test program."
The B-21’s first flight has been hotly awaited for years now, but the schedule has been pushed back multiple times over the years due to various issues, not least the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Back in September, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall had said the service was “still hopeful on having first flight this year,” before backtracking somewhat with the statement: “If I were to say it will, I would be making a very specific prediction. And I never do that about an acquisition program for something that hasn’t happened yet. Okay?”
The B-21 had already hit a number of other milestones earlier in the year, including the first powering on of its systems in July and the start of engine test runs on the ground two months later. Then came the aforementioned news about taxi testing.
Northrop Grumman
The first B-21 is now set to start more rigorous developmental flight testing at Edwards and will eventually be joined there by other pre-production examples that will form a combined test force. Another five of the bombers are in various stages of production at Northrop Grumman’s facility within Plant 42.
If all runs to plan, the first operational B-21s should start to enter service in the mid-2020s. The Raiders are set to replace the Air Force’s B-2 and B-1 bombers. Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota is set to be the first base to get the new bombers, followed by Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.
While the B-21 will become a key part of the U.S. nuclear deterrent triad, it will do much more beyond that critical role. As well as being capable of conventional strikes, it will offer a host of other capabilities.
USAF
“The B-21 is multi-functional. It can handle anything from gathering intel to battle management,” Secretary of Defense Austin declared at the Raider's rollout ceremony last year.
After all, the B-21 is also a component of the wide-ranging and secretive Long Range Strike Family of Systems (LRS FoS). LRS FoS is known to include the stealthy Long Range Stand-Off (LRSO) nuclear-armed cruise missile, which will be one of the Raider’s main weapons. The weapon is already in flight testing.
The LRS FoS also includes other advanced, but highly classified capabilities, as you can read more about here. This is understood to include the high-altitude long-endurance stealth drone commonly referred to as the RQ-180, which may also be getting close to entering service, if it isn’t already in some capacity.
The B-21 was unveiled to the public at a ceremony on December 2, 2022, in Palmdale, California. USAF
It is very likely that the B-21 will leverage developments from the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, as well. As part of NGAD, the Air Force plans to acquire thousands of highly autonomous drones under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which could work together with Raiders in the future. NGAD is also a family of systems, but a more tactical one, but there’s expected to be a crossover between the two, with drones and networking architecture being two obvious points of potential synergy.
More details about the B-21 and its capabilities, as well as related developments, may increasingly emerge now that the Raider has taken its first flight. Regardless, this is a historic day for aviation and a huge accomplishment for Northrop Grumman and the USAF.
We will have our full analysis on this historic first flight and what we are seeing now that the B-21 is finally in the air, soon.
A huge thanks to Matt Hartman (@shorealonefilms) and to Mike Henry — make sure to follow him on Instagram @mykenry — for their amazing shots.
UPDATE: 12:30 PM EST—
Some additional gorgeous photos of the departure from Andrew Kanei:
Andrew Kanei
Andrew Kanei
Andrew Kanei
Andrew Kanei
Andrew Kanei
UPDATE: 1:07 PM EST—
We now have confirmation that the B-21 safely landed at Edwards AFB.
The B-21 landed safely, said USAF a spokesperson. It took off at 7 a.m local time and touched down at Edwards at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time,
Howard Altman contributed to this story.
UPDATE: 6:45 PM EST—
Full analysis about what we saw and learned from the B-21's first flight can be found in this new post.
Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Next-generation US stealth bomber capable of disguise takes first flight
David Millward
Fri, November 10, 2023
The B-21 is the first new American bomber in three decades
A next-generation stealth bomber capable of disguising itself as another object has taken to the air for the first time.
The B-21, the long-awaited successor to the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber that entered service in the late 1990s, took off from the manufacturing plant at Palmdale California on Friday morning.
Accompanied by an F-16 chase plane, the aircraft completed a 39 mile journey to Edwards Air Force Base, where further testing will take place.
“The B-21 Raider is in flight testing,” said a US Air Force spokesman.
The force is planning to build 100 of the planes, which will be capable of being flown with and without pilots.
Little has been made public about the aircraft’s capabilities.
Similar in shape to the original stealth bomber, it will be built from more advanced materials and use updated technology to make it more capable of surviving in a future conflict.
It is also said to have the ability to spoof enemy air defences by disguising itself as other objects, such as other aircraft, by controlling its electronic emissions and radar signature.
It is the first new American bomber in three decades.
Fri, November 10, 2023
The B-21 is the first new American bomber in three decades
A next-generation stealth bomber capable of disguising itself as another object has taken to the air for the first time.
The B-21, the long-awaited successor to the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber that entered service in the late 1990s, took off from the manufacturing plant at Palmdale California on Friday morning.
Accompanied by an F-16 chase plane, the aircraft completed a 39 mile journey to Edwards Air Force Base, where further testing will take place.
“The B-21 Raider is in flight testing,” said a US Air Force spokesman.
The force is planning to build 100 of the planes, which will be capable of being flown with and without pilots.
Little has been made public about the aircraft’s capabilities.
Similar in shape to the original stealth bomber, it will be built from more advanced materials and use updated technology to make it more capable of surviving in a future conflict.
It is also said to have the ability to spoof enemy air defences by disguising itself as other objects, such as other aircraft, by controlling its electronic emissions and radar signature.
It is the first new American bomber in three decades.
The new stealth bomber rolls onto the runway at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale during its first flight - David Swanson/Reuters
“Flight testing is a critical step in the test campaign managed by the Air Force Test Centre and 412th Test Wing’s B-21 Combined Test Force to provide survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and strategic attacks against the United States, allies, and partners,” the spokesman said.
Named after the historic Doolittle Raid to strike back at Japan after Pearl Harbour, the Raider’s construction was shrouded in secrecy.
The US Air Force and manufacturer Northrop Grumman have been striving to keep the technology hidden from China, fearing it could build a version of its own.
On the ground, signal-emitting devices such as iPhones and earbuds were banned as security guards patrolled the 5,800-acre facility.
High above the plant, orbiting satellites monitored activity at the site.
In Washington, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted not to release the cost of the project, despite objections from John McCain.
By the end of last year, the cost of each aircraft was estimated at $750 million (£614 million), compared to the almost $2 billion price tag of its predecessor.
The bomber can spoof enemy air defences by disguising itself as other objects, such as other aircraft, by controlling its electronic emissions and radar signature - Gene Blevins/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
The B-21 was initially due to make its first flight in 2021 but production of the bomber was delayed by the Covid pandemic.
The project, which began in 2011, was also hit by the global economic slowdown in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It was part of America’s strategy, drawn up by the Trump administration, of maintaining all three components of its nuclear force, known as the nuclear triad.
There had been suggestions that land-based missiles would be ditched, but the stealth bomber and submarine-launched weapons would remain.
Underpinning the project is the belief that the aircraft has to be able to evade Chinese and Russian missile defences if it is to be an effective deterrent.
Later, explaining the strategy, Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, stressed its ability to carry conventional and nuclear devices.
“We are again making it plain to any potential foe: the risks and costs of aggression far outweigh any conceivable gains.”
B-21 Raider's First Flight: What We Learned
Tyler Rogoway
Fri, November 10, 2023
B-21 first flight
The B-21's first flight — a massive milestone for Northrop Grumman and the USAF — provides us with totally new looks at the world's most advanced flying machine. Here are some key takeaways from what is really the Raider's first full unveiling.
Check out our morning coverage of the B-21's first flight here. You can read our past analysis on the B-21 and its mission set, which mirrors what we are seeing today with our own eyes, here and here.
First off, the name. Yes, It's the B-21 Raider, but the first example of the type has a special nickname that is adorned on its gear door: Cerberus.
https://twitter.com/Y_Mokko/status/1723068967462326436?s=20
Cerberus is the hound of Hades that guards the gates of the underworld to prevent the dead from escaping. So, in Greek Mythology terms, the first of the B-21s has a very dark and ominous name. It is fitting for what is arguably among the most destructive flying machines ever created.
Many are asking about the long wire and aerial the B-21 was towing behind it on takeoff. Its presence should not come as a surprise as it is a normal fixture for initial flight testing. It is an air data 'trailing cone' used to capture 'clean' static air measurements that are undisturbed by the aircraft. This sensor is in addition to the jet's long flight test air data probe installed on its lower front left side. These are critical instruments for gathering precise data for the B-21's initial flight testing activities, in addition to the myriad standard sensors that are installed conformally around the aircraft and specialized test equipment situated inside.
Contributor
Moving on to the big takeaways regarding the jet's structure and features. Chief among them is the B-21's planform. It is exactly what we thought it would be and it's also what a higher-flying earlier iteration of the B-2 was supposed to be. You can read all about the B-21 design's direct link to the Advanced Technology Bomber program's Senior Ice design, which became the B-2 Spirit, in our feature from six years ago bringing it to light.
While pictures of the B-21 taxiing, including its empennage, have been circulating for weeks, we can now say conclusively that the B-21's strange 'horns' on either side of the center fuselage barrel (or hump in this case) are indeed auxiliary air intake doors. There was speculation that they were posts for additional air data sensors, or even radar reflectors, but that is not the case.
Andrew Kanei
Mike Henry
The B-21's conformal inlets are among the program's most exotic (known) features that are documented publicly to have been a major challenge to realize during development. Low observable inlets are among a stealthy aircraft's most critical attributes. Separating turbulent boundary layer air and just getting enough air at all through serpentine ducts used to hide the highly reflective engine fan faces to not starve the aircraft's engines are major hurdles. In addition, what may not be a problem while cruising can become a huge issue at high power settings and increased angles of attack seen during terminal operations.
The B-2's far more prominent serrated intakes can be seen here, including the splitter plate between the fuselage and the intake opening that separates turbulent boundary layer air from the stable air entering the intake. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Bush/Released)
The B-2 has much more predominant intakes with serrated splitters along their lower edges compared to the B-21. Still, they feed serpentine ducts with the engines buried deep in the B-2's inner wings. Getting enough air during takeoff and landing is accomplished via 'butterfly' or scoop-like auxiliary inlet doors that open atop the mid portion of the blended intakes/nacelles.
A B-2 taxiing out with its auxiliary air inlets popped open. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kenny Holston)
Another shot of the B-2's scoop-like auxiliary air inlets in use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josshua Strang)
The B-21 accomplishes this same thing via relatively large plank-like triangular doors that open vertically back from the intake openings, similar to where the B-2's doors are. This provides additional direct air to the Raider's still unknown (in quantity and model) engines. This gives the jet a unique 'horned' or devilish appearance when on the ground taxiing, as well as while taking off and landing.
https://twitter.com/ReutersUS/status/1723018205470314818?s=20
B-21 first flight
The B-21's first flight — a massive milestone for Northrop Grumman and the USAF — provides us with totally new looks at the world's most advanced flying machine. Here are some key takeaways from what is really the Raider's first full unveiling.
Check out our morning coverage of the B-21's first flight here. You can read our past analysis on the B-21 and its mission set, which mirrors what we are seeing today with our own eyes, here and here.
First off, the name. Yes, It's the B-21 Raider, but the first example of the type has a special nickname that is adorned on its gear door: Cerberus.
https://twitter.com/Y_Mokko/status/1723068967462326436?s=20
Cerberus is the hound of Hades that guards the gates of the underworld to prevent the dead from escaping. So, in Greek Mythology terms, the first of the B-21s has a very dark and ominous name. It is fitting for what is arguably among the most destructive flying machines ever created.
Many are asking about the long wire and aerial the B-21 was towing behind it on takeoff. Its presence should not come as a surprise as it is a normal fixture for initial flight testing. It is an air data 'trailing cone' used to capture 'clean' static air measurements that are undisturbed by the aircraft. This sensor is in addition to the jet's long flight test air data probe installed on its lower front left side. These are critical instruments for gathering precise data for the B-21's initial flight testing activities, in addition to the myriad standard sensors that are installed conformally around the aircraft and specialized test equipment situated inside.
Contributor
Moving on to the big takeaways regarding the jet's structure and features. Chief among them is the B-21's planform. It is exactly what we thought it would be and it's also what a higher-flying earlier iteration of the B-2 was supposed to be. You can read all about the B-21 design's direct link to the Advanced Technology Bomber program's Senior Ice design, which became the B-2 Spirit, in our feature from six years ago bringing it to light.
While pictures of the B-21 taxiing, including its empennage, have been circulating for weeks, we can now say conclusively that the B-21's strange 'horns' on either side of the center fuselage barrel (or hump in this case) are indeed auxiliary air intake doors. There was speculation that they were posts for additional air data sensors, or even radar reflectors, but that is not the case.
Andrew Kanei
Mike Henry
The B-21's conformal inlets are among the program's most exotic (known) features that are documented publicly to have been a major challenge to realize during development. Low observable inlets are among a stealthy aircraft's most critical attributes. Separating turbulent boundary layer air and just getting enough air at all through serpentine ducts used to hide the highly reflective engine fan faces to not starve the aircraft's engines are major hurdles. In addition, what may not be a problem while cruising can become a huge issue at high power settings and increased angles of attack seen during terminal operations.
The B-2's far more prominent serrated intakes can be seen here, including the splitter plate between the fuselage and the intake opening that separates turbulent boundary layer air from the stable air entering the intake. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Bush/Released)
The B-2 has much more predominant intakes with serrated splitters along their lower edges compared to the B-21. Still, they feed serpentine ducts with the engines buried deep in the B-2's inner wings. Getting enough air during takeoff and landing is accomplished via 'butterfly' or scoop-like auxiliary inlet doors that open atop the mid portion of the blended intakes/nacelles.
A B-2 taxiing out with its auxiliary air inlets popped open. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kenny Holston)
Another shot of the B-2's scoop-like auxiliary air inlets in use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josshua Strang)
The B-21 accomplishes this same thing via relatively large plank-like triangular doors that open vertically back from the intake openings, similar to where the B-2's doors are. This provides additional direct air to the Raider's still unknown (in quantity and model) engines. This gives the jet a unique 'horned' or devilish appearance when on the ground taxiing, as well as while taking off and landing.
https://twitter.com/ReutersUS/status/1723018205470314818?s=20
https://twitter.com/SwansonPhotog/status/1723016850551054553?s=20
The B-21's profile is also more striking than we pictured, with its angled side windows giving it a sinister 'angry' look. Its smaller stature than its bigger progenitor, the B-2, is also apparent from this angle. Its massive shelf-like 'duckbill' leading edge/nose is very visible, a major low-observable attribute that limits line-of-sight to the B-2's upper fuselage from lower viewing angles, among other advantages. Considering it will likely be flying higher than most other aircraft, and ground defenses are perhaps its most important threat to evade, it is a key attribute. It's also one that has a long history with low-observable aircraft design dating far back, with it being especially prominent on Northrop's Tacit Blue demonstrator, the grandfather of the B-21 Raider.
Tacit Blue under flight test near Area 51 back in the early 1980s. (USAF)
We also see the black areas between the B-21's blended engine nacelles and the center fuselage hump towards the rear portion of the jet. It remains unclear exactly why this area is that tone, although it could have something to do with the engines being mounted near there.
Overall, the B-21's profile is remarkably sleek and its inlet and engine 'humps' are far less prominent than the B-2's when viewed from the side.
The B-21's belly is perhaps the most intriguing part of the aircraft we saw in today's first flight. We now clearly see its primary weapons bay (more on the primary part in a moment). It is much smaller than that of the B-2, but we knew that would be the case, with the aircraft likely having less than half the B-2's weapons payload capacity. Instead of being able to carry two Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), one will likely be contained in a B-21. It is possible that the bay is even too small for the MOP, with a new, smaller deep-penetrating weapon taking its place, but that seems less likely at this time.
The B-21's profile is also more striking than we pictured, with its angled side windows giving it a sinister 'angry' look. Its smaller stature than its bigger progenitor, the B-2, is also apparent from this angle. Its massive shelf-like 'duckbill' leading edge/nose is very visible, a major low-observable attribute that limits line-of-sight to the B-2's upper fuselage from lower viewing angles, among other advantages. Considering it will likely be flying higher than most other aircraft, and ground defenses are perhaps its most important threat to evade, it is a key attribute. It's also one that has a long history with low-observable aircraft design dating far back, with it being especially prominent on Northrop's Tacit Blue demonstrator, the grandfather of the B-21 Raider.
Tacit Blue under flight test near Area 51 back in the early 1980s. (USAF)
We also see the black areas between the B-21's blended engine nacelles and the center fuselage hump towards the rear portion of the jet. It remains unclear exactly why this area is that tone, although it could have something to do with the engines being mounted near there.
Overall, the B-21's profile is remarkably sleek and its inlet and engine 'humps' are far less prominent than the B-2's when viewed from the side.
The B-21's belly is perhaps the most intriguing part of the aircraft we saw in today's first flight. We now clearly see its primary weapons bay (more on the primary part in a moment). It is much smaller than that of the B-2, but we knew that would be the case, with the aircraft likely having less than half the B-2's weapons payload capacity. Instead of being able to carry two Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), one will likely be contained in a B-21. It is possible that the bay is even too small for the MOP, with a new, smaller deep-penetrating weapon taking its place, but that seems less likely at this time.
Andrew Kanei
The bay will likely be 'smarter' and more easily reconfigurable for different weapons arrangements than its predecessor too, leveraging the aircraft's open architecture systems for easier integration of new weapons, decoys, and air-launched drones.
(Contributor)
One major question that remains is does the B-21 have smaller secondary weapons bays, as well? This is something I have posited could (or at least should) exist to take advantage of the jet's expanded roles and new weapons available to it. These include advanced air-to-air missiles for self-defense and the Stand-In Attack Weapon (SiAW) for fighting its way into highly protected locales and defending itself in general.
https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1661125671358464004?s=20
Using up space on a large primary rotary launcher for these weapons seems somewhat problematic, so having smaller and shallower auxiliary bays to accommodate them would be beneficial. It looks like this may be the case, with definite hatches of some sort next to the primary weapons bay, but it is unclear if these are there for maintenance access, including engine access, or if they are for weapons storage. The B-2 has similar panels, as well, so it is hard to tell, but the inner panels next to the primary bay are intriguing.
Adding to the possibility of additional weapons bays flanking the primary one is the fact that the B-21's gear, while using a single truck instead of two like on the B-2, seems to stow similarly, hinging forward under a single large door that closes inward.
https://youtube.com/shorts/QE0gZAYZXvA?si=n145rZWmjblEGhsu
Finally, we have the rear. A stealthy aircraft's exhausts are very critical to the type's low observable capabilities, both on the radiofrequency (RF) and infrared (IR) spectrums. In this case, they look quite similar to the B-2's exhausts, although they look even more conformal, with the engines very deeply buried, and smaller than their predecessors. They also do not have a chevron trailing edge to their planar heat diffusers. Once again, this raises the question of if the B-21 is a twin or quad-engined aircraft. We just don't know, but if it does leverage four engines, they would need to be relatively small in size based on what we are seeing. The B-2 can fly with two engines out on the same side, just as a side note, so the B-21 should be able to with an engine out, as well, if it is indeed a twin-engine aircraft.
The B-21 appears to have a prominent shelf-like extension from its fuselage 'hump' at its trailing edge apex and lacks the variable geometry 'beaver tail' of its predecessor. This makes sense considering its similarity to the B-2's original design, which lacked the low-altitude penetrating requirements that ended up giving birth to the aircraft's serrated trailing edge and 'gust-alleviating' beaver tail.
Mike Henry
Mike Henry
Then there is the color, which has not changed. It remains a light gray, which would indicate that the aircraft is intended for day and night operations. This could always change, but it makes sense and is something we thought could be the case prior to the roll-out.
https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1598736144296181760?s=20
Size-wise we estimated the B-21 to be between 135-155 feet wide, compared to the B-2's 172 feet. It will likely be shorter as well and the B-2 is already a transformer when it comes to viewing it head-on compared to side-on, which turns the aircraft into something akin to the size of an F-15.
https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/957133858830352384?s=20
The video below of the B-21 followed by its chase F-16 shows just how small it looks side on:
https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status/1723026708138209614?s=20
Finally, we have all the apertures around the aircraft. Not a lot is new there from our last look and analysis of the jet. What's missing are the big dual radar arrays seen on the B-2. It's very possible the B-21 will not rely on such large arrays, with advances in AESA technologies and the possible need to use semi-mature off-the-shelf systems resulting in smaller arrays. On the other hand, conformal load-bearing antenna structures (CLASs) could conceal large arrays that are built right into the B-21's structure. Smaller common AESAs placed around the aircraft for near 360-degree sensing, communications, and electronic warfare are also quite probable. You can read all about these possibilities and about advances in radar technologies in this previous report of ours.
Northrop Grumman's Electronically-Scanned Multifunction Reconfigurable Integrated Sensor (EMRIS) is a great example of a scalable, wideband, multi-mode array that can provide major advantages in many different types of installations that add up to far more than the sum of its functions. These placed around the B-21 could provide sensing, some networking communications, and electronic warfare capabilities.
(Northrop Grumman)
It's also worth noting that the B-21 was built around a family of systems, with some capabilities being handled by other aircraft and sent through secure networks to the B-21. This could very well (and probably does) include a stealthy radar-toting asset like the so-called RQ-180. In other words, it may have offset even some features found on the B-2 to other platforms. And of course, this is a prototype — a very production representative one though. Certain systems and avionics could (and likely will) be added later and/or featured in follow on aircraft now under construction. The B-21 was also dreamed-up with spiral development in mind, so new capabilities will be inserted as they emerge or as they are needed with far greater ease than on the B-2. And, as we always stress, the outside only tells part of the story, what's inside is where the real magic happens.
So there you have it, our initial analysis of what we have seen on a historic day in aviation, as well as a huge accomplishment for the USAF and the hard-working folks and Northrop Grumman's B-21 Raider program. Now the aircraft is in the hands of its testers at a sprawling facility at Edwards Air Force Base that was specifically upgraded to support the program.
As such, we should slowly learn more official details about the Air Force's pride and joy in the not-too-distant future.
Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com
It's also worth noting that the B-21 was built around a family of systems, with some capabilities being handled by other aircraft and sent through secure networks to the B-21. This could very well (and probably does) include a stealthy radar-toting asset like the so-called RQ-180. In other words, it may have offset even some features found on the B-2 to other platforms. And of course, this is a prototype — a very production representative one though. Certain systems and avionics could (and likely will) be added later and/or featured in follow on aircraft now under construction. The B-21 was also dreamed-up with spiral development in mind, so new capabilities will be inserted as they emerge or as they are needed with far greater ease than on the B-2. And, as we always stress, the outside only tells part of the story, what's inside is where the real magic happens.
So there you have it, our initial analysis of what we have seen on a historic day in aviation, as well as a huge accomplishment for the USAF and the hard-working folks and Northrop Grumman's B-21 Raider program. Now the aircraft is in the hands of its testers at a sprawling facility at Edwards Air Force Base that was specifically upgraded to support the program.
As such, we should slowly learn more official details about the Air Force's pride and joy in the not-too-distant future.
Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com
