The US Air Force's B-21 Raider Just Made Its First Flight (Video)

Amazing footage! Stablized and post-processed to reduce that jitter. pic.twitter.com/u0gjTD1KoP

— C Schmitz (@chrisschmitz) November 10, 2023

Air and Space Forces Magazine: New B-21 Bomber Takes First Flight 

The first B-21 Raider bomber took off from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., just after dawn on Nov. 10, in a flight that concluded at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif, after 90 minutes, according to local observers. 

“The B-21 safely landed,” said Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek. “This was a test flight.” 

The aircraft was filmed from outside Plant 42, heading eastbound with an F-16 chase plane after climbing to about 500 feet. The landing gear had yet to be retracted in video and photos that appeared on social media.  

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The US Air Force's B-21 Raider Just Made Its First Flight (Video)  

The Air Force’s new nuclear stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, has taken its first test flight -- AP  

Nuclear stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, takes first test flight -- Defense News  

B-21 takes flight, heads to Edwards AFB for more tests -- Defense One  

B-21 Takes To The Sky For The First Time As Flight Testing Begins -- Aviation Week  

Air Force’s new B-21 Raider stealth bomber takes first flight -- The Hill 

First Flight Of B-21 Raider Captured On Video -- Zero Hedge

New Image Reveals B-21 Raider Taxiing Ahead Of Its First Scheduled Flight

Warzone: B-21 Raider Has Begun Taxi Tests 

The Air Force is hopeful that the B-21 Raider stealth bomber will take to the skies for the first time before the end of the year. 

The U.S. Air Force's first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber is now undergoing taxi testing, moving around the sprawling Plant 42 in Palmdale under its own power. This is the latest developmental milestone for the aircraft as it continues to move closer to its first flight, which could come before the end of the year. 

"I can confirm the B-21 is conducting ground taxi activities. Rigorous testing is a critical step in the B-21 flight test program," an Air Force spokesperson confirmed to The War Zone today. "Extensive testing evaluates systems, components, and functionalities. This testing allows us to mitigate risks, optimize design, and enhance operational effectiveness." 

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  WNU Editor: The first contracts for production of the B-21 are being drawn up .... Northrop expects B-21 low-rate production contract by year-end (Flight Global). 

 New Image Reveals B-21 Raider Taxiing Ahead Of Its First Scheduled Flight 

New Image of B-21 Bomber Tail Shows Different Exhausts and Rear Deck from B-2 -- Air And Space Forces Magazine 

B-21 Raider begins taxi tests, a key step before first flight -- Defense News 

B-21 starts taxi tests; Northrop expects first flight by year's end -- Defense One 

New Image Reveals B-21 Raider Taxiing Ahead Of Maiden Flight -- Zero Hedge 

B-21 Raider: US Stealth Bomber Commences Taxi Testing Ahead Of Its First Scheduled Flight -- EurAsian Times

New Images Emerge Of The B-21

USAF  

Warzone/The Drive: B-21 Raider Seen Like Never Before In New Images  

We have just been given our first side view of Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider stealth bomber, an aircraft that remains cloaked in secrecy.  

During Air Force Chief of Staff Charles Q. Brown's speech at this year's Air & Space Forces Association's mega conference outside of Washington, D.C., the soon-to-be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs dropped two new images of the B-21 Raider. While the stealth bomber was rolled out in December of last year, it remains cloaked in secrecy. Brown, the top Air Force uniformed officer, didn't specifically reference the images in his presentation. 

Up until today, only one angle of the full aircraft has been seen by the public — head-on — and in a very controlled environment at the bomber's unveiling. Aside from a close-up of the cockpit area at an angle, all imagery published since then has been from the same head-on perspective, although it has progressively shown the aircraft in more detail. Now we have our first quartering view of the flying-wing jet, which provides significant details about its design. A new head-on image also gives us a better idea of the bomber's actual size. Both images were taken at Northrop Grumman's facility at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California.  

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New Images Emerge Of The B-21  

CSAF Shows Off New Images of the B-21; Raider Begins Engine Runs -- Air & Space Forces 

B-21 Raider stealth bomber: New images show US Air Force’s £585m cutting-edge aircraft -- The Independent  

New B-21 photos released, as engine runs begin -- Breaking Defense  

New Photos Offer Rare Glimpse at US' Classified B-21 Stealth Bomber -- Sputnik

First Flight Of The B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Has Been Delayed

FOX News: B-21 Raider stealth bomber’s first flight delayed a few months later than anticipated: Air Force 

The B-21 Raider was first unveiled to the public in Palmdale, California in early December 

The Air Force revealed last week that the debut flight of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber is delayed several months. 

Speaking at the McAleese & Associates conference in Washington, Air Force secretary Frank Kendall said the B-21’s first flight "slipped from the original schedule" but is still within the baseline schedule and cost. 

"There’s a baseline schedule, which is on the books," Kendall told reporters. "[B]ut there’s been no breach of that. But with the internal schedule, there’s been a slip of a few months."  

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WNU Editor: Even with this delay, there are calls for the US Air Force to buy even more B-21 bombers .... Air Force Should Double Its B-21 Purchase Plans, Think Tank Says (Defense One). 

More News On The B-21 Bomber 

B-21 first flight running ‘a few months’ behind -- Air Force Times  

Maiden Flight Of B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Delayed -- Zero Hedge  

Air Force Sees First Flight Delay of B-21 Stealth Bomber -- Bloomberg  

Northrop eyes low-rate production contract for B-21 this year -- Defense News

U.S. Air Force Releases A Stunning New Image Of The B-21 Stealth Bomber

A new B-21 view (U.S. Air Force photo) 

Warzone/The Drive: B-21 Raider Seen From Above In New Image 

As the B-21 creeps towards its first flight, still slated for later this year, we are getting new looks at it and new insights. 

Two new images of the B-21 Raider next-generation stealth bomber have been released by the U.S. Air Force. One is a detailed close-up of the B-21's nose and cockpit section, the other provides us with the first look at the planform of the secretive new jet, which aims to replace the B-2 and the B-1. 

The elevated image underscores the B-21's overall layout, which harkens back to what the B-2 would have looked like if requirements for low-level penetration were not introduced mid-way through its development. This planform also would have given the B-2 a substantially higher operating ceiling, which the B-21 will likely achieve. While the image overall is compressed due to the wide angle lens, it still highlights the B-21's smaller proportions compared to its now well over three decades-old progenitor.  

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 U.S. Air Force Releases A Stunning New Image Of The B-21 Stealth Bomber  

U.S. Air Force Reveals New B-21 Design Details -- Aviation Week  

BREAKING: U.S. Air Force Has Just Released New B-21 Raider Images -- The Aviationist  

New look at US Air Force's B-21 stealth bomber ahead of first flight -- 9News  

New images of B-21 stealth bomber emerge ahead of first flight -- Aerospace Manufacturing  

USAF Reveals Stunning Images Of B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber -- Zero Hedge

China Wants To Know These Four B-21 Raider Secrets

 

Rebecca Grant, FOX News: America’s new B-21 Raider has 4 big secrets China wants to steal  

China is desperate to know if Air Force’s new B-21 stealth bomber is capable of unmanned flight 

The Air Force’s new B-21 Raider stealth bomber that debuted Dec. 2 is safely back in its hangar in California, but you can bet China’s keyboard warriors are furiously clicking away trying to unravel its secrets via cyber-espionage.  

You, me and military officers in China and other bad guy countries all want to know four big secrets about the B-21.  

First, can the B-21 fly without pilots? Original acquisition documents called for the B-21 bomber to be "capable of manned and unmanned operations." Military drones take the man or woman out to save weight and increase endurance flight time. No one doubts the Air Force pilots can stick it out for long missions. Back in 2001, two B-2 bomber pilots logged a 44-hour mission from Missouri to Afghanistan and back. Bomber pilots train in simulators for 72-hour missions (and you thought the center seat on Southwest Airlines was tough.) 

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WNU Editor: Who is to say that China does not have already have a detailed blueprint/understanding of the B-21?

B21 Raider Rollout (Livestream Starting At 20:00 EST)

US Air Force To Unveil Its New B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber This Friday

An artist rendering of the proposed B-21 Raider jet above Edwards Air Force Base in California. (United States Air Force)  

FOX News: Air Force to unveil its new B-21 Raider stealth bomber Friday  

The B-21 Raider features stealth technology for long-range conventional and nuclear missions. 

The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman plan to unveil the latest stealth aircraft called the B-21 Raider at the company’s facility in Palmdale, California, this Friday.

"The B-21 is the most advanced military aircraft ever built and is a product of pioneering innovation and technological excellence," Dough Young, sector vice president and general manager at Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems said in a press release. 

"The Raider showcases the dedication and skills of the thousands of people working every day to deliver this aircraft."  

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US Air Force To Unveil Its New B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber This Friday  

First B-21 Raider Test Jet Aims To More Closely Mirror Production Examples -- Warzone/The Drive  

Revealed: The Public Finally Gets to See the B-21 Stealth Bomber this Week -- Defense One  

The Weekly Debrief: B-21 In Spotlight As Northrop Grumman Plans First Glimpse -- Aviation Week  

Northrop’s B-21 is almost here. What’s next for the stealthy bomber? -- Defense News

U.S. Air Force To Unveil B-21 Stealth Bomber In December

An artist's rendering shows a B-21 Raider in a hangar at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., one of the future bases to host the new airframe. (Courtesy of Northrop Grumman) 

Defense One: USAF to Unveil B-21 Stealth Bomber in December 

The strategic bomber has been developed in near-total secrecy at Northrop Grumman's plant in Palmdale, California. 

The U.S. Air Force will roll out its new B-21 stealth bomber the first week of December, the service's top weapons buyer said Tuesday. 

Andrew Hunter, the assistant Air Force secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, gave no more details, not even a location for the rollout, which is expected to mark the first public view of the aircraft, which has been developed in near-total secrecy. 

He spoke Tuesday at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber conference outside Washington, D.C. Northrop Grumman is building the B-21 at a factory in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is expected to make its first flight in 2023.  

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U.S. Air Force To Unveil B-21 Stealth Bomber In December  

Northrop Grumman to Unveil the B-21 Raider -- Northrop Grumman  

Secretive B-21 bomber to be revealed to public in December -- Breaking Defense  

A first look at the B-21 Raider bomber is coming soon -- Defense News  

B-21 Raider Will Be Rolled Out In Early December -- Warzone  

Pentagon will unveil the new B-21 Raider stealth bomber in the first week of December - after cloaking development of the $639M aircraft in near-total secrecy -- Daily Mail 

Long-Awaited B-21 Bomber Set to Roll Out in December -- National Interest  

Secretive B-21 Raider To Be Unveiled To Public In December -- Zero Hedge

B-21 Bomber Is Under Budget So Far

An artist's rendering shows a B-21 Raider in a hangar at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., one of the future bases to host the new airframe. (Courtesy of Northrop Grumman)  

Bloomberg: B-21 Bomber Delivers Pentagon Surprise: It’s Under Budget So Far 

(Bloomberg) -- Northrop Grumman Corp.’s cost estimate for developing the new B-21 stealth bomber has come in lower than the US Air Force’s $25.1 billion projection, according to the service’s chief weapons buyer, a rare early-stage success story among major weapons programs that routinely run billions over budget. 

“We had money in the program budget that went beyond the contractually required payments” so that “gave us the opportunity” to target the money for early spending on riskier aspects of the program, Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary for acquisition, said in an interview. 

How much Northrop was able to save is classified, as are most details about the Air Force’s next-generation bomber. The service has estimated that the B-21 is likely to cost at least $203 billion to develop, purchase and then operate 100 aircraft over 30 years.  

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WNU Editor: The public unveiling of the Air Force’s next stealth bomber is still expected later in 2022. the first flight in 2023 .... B-21 first flight to come in 2023 (Defense News).

B-21 Stealth Bomber Completes Load Testing. Maiden Flight Pushed To 2023

B-21 Raiders path to flight readiness. Credit: Northrop Grumman  

Inceptive Mind: Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider stealth bomber completes load testing 

Northrop Grumman successfully completed the first and most critical loads calibration test of the first B-21 raider nuclear bomber. 

The B-21 aircraft is preparing for its first flight in 2023, more than a year later than early estimates. 

The recent test is one of the three major conditions the aircraft will undergo in this phase of ground testing as it progresses toward its first flight. The load calibration test focuses on calibrating instrumentation prior to the flight and verifying structural integrity and has yielded positive and consistent results.  

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More News On The B-21 

Loads Data for New B-21 Stealth Bomber Confirms Digital Models; Rollout May Be Weeks Away -- Air Force Magazine 

USAF's New Stealth Bomber "Strides Toward Flight Readiness" After Successful Load Test -- Zero Hedge  

B-21 first flight to come in 2023 -- Defense News  

USAF B-21 Bomber Maiden Flight Pushed to 2023 -- Defense Post

Ellsworth Air Force Base prepares for B-21 stealth bomber -- AP

B-21 Bomber Will Be Flying With Drones

Bloomberg: U.S. Bombers’ Future Hints at Flying Missions Along With Drones 

(Bloomberg) -- The Air Force can’t afford to keep buying all the piloted bombers and jets it plans, the service secretary says, so he’s considering a hybrid force of drones operating in tandem with aircraft like the new B-21 stealth bomber. 

“I’m looking at things that would introduce unmanned platforms” that could be sacrificed in combat, would “complement some of our more expensive high-end platforms” and would “give us the quantity we need at a reasonable cost,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in an interview this week. 

Among the conceptual possibilities, Kendall said, is using the B-21 being built by Northrop Grumman Corp. in a quarterback role directing pilotless systems. As the Pentagon’s former undersecretary for acquisition, Kendall has deep experience in the process -- and cost -- of developing new weapons.  

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WNU Editor: Another sign on the high value of drones that the US Air Force is now placing.

US Air Force Secretary Says Northrop Grumman Has Five B-21 Stealth Bombers In Production

Artist rendering of a B-21 Raider concept in a hangar at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., one of the future bases to host the new airframe. (Courtesy photo by Northrop Grumman)  

Defense News: Northrop Grumman now has five B-21 stealth bombers in production  

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The U.S. Air Force has five B-21 Raider bombers currently in various states of production at manufacturer Northrop Grumman’s plant in California, the service’s top civilian said on Monday. 

“We have been living off of bomber fleet investments made many decades ago, but that is rapidly changing,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told the audience at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference here. 

“As I speak there are now five test aircraft being manufactured on the B-21 production line at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California,” he said.

“You will never hear me make optimistic predictions about programs. All programs have risk and the same is true of the B-21, but at this point at least, the program is making good progress to real fielded capability.”  

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 More News On The US Air Force Secretary Saying Northrop Grumman Now Five B-21 Stealth Bombers In Production  

Five B-21 Raider Stealth Bombers Are Now In Final Assembly -- Warzone/The Drive  

AFA NEWS: Five of the New B-21 Raider Bombers in Production -- National Defense  

The US Air Force's First Five B-21 Stealth Bombers Are in 'Final Assembly' -- Interesting Engineer  

USAF Reveals It Has Five New B-21 Strat Bombers in Production, Not Two as Originally Reported -- Sputnik

A Q & A On The B-21Bomber

Shown is a B-21 Raider artist rendering graphic. The rendering highlights the future stealth bomber with Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., as the backdrop. Designed to perform long range conventional and nuclear missions and to operate in tomorrow’s high end threat environment, the B-21 will be a visible and flexible component of the nuclear triad. (Courtesy of Northrop Grumman)  

Breaking Defense: The B-21 Raider: A Bomber That Is Both Low Observable And Easier to Maintain  

Supportability issues that affected the availability and performance of early, stealthy aircraft are being addressed by Northrop Grumman on this new program.

 Stealth aircraft have always had challenges related to maintainability due to the need for specialized personnel, equipment, materials, and facilities. 

That’s not the case with the B-21, and in this Q&A with Steve Sullivan, vice president, Strike Division, we discuss how Northrop Grumman has applied new innovations in supportability to the program. 

Breaking Defense: Northrop Grumman has extensive experience in designing and maintaining low observable aircraft. 

What lessons learned is Northrop Grumman bringing to the B-21 to support sustainment?

Sullivan: The B-2 Spirit, which we designed and built in the 1980s, was revolutionary not only for the shape of the airframe but also the low observable (LO) treatments and coatings that were applied for survivability. These have set the standard for the last three decades.  

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WNU Editor: Here are the known images of the B-21 stealth bomber .... Here’s all the images of the B-21 stealth bomber released so far (Aerospace Manufacturing).

U.S. Air Force Releases New B-21 Raider Artist Rendering

The Air Force's new rendering of a B-21 Raider stealth bomber, showing the aircraft flying over Edwards Air Force Base in California. USAF 

 US Air Force Magazine: New B-21 Stealth Bomber Image Shows Stealth Windows 

The Air Force’s newest rendering of the secret B-21 bomber shows an exotic layout of cockpit windows. The image, the third released so far, offers a new oblique view of the aircraft from below its port side, suggesting a deeper keel and wider weapons bay than that of the B-2 bomber it will succeed. But the air intakes, which have been redesigned, are obscured. 

The new B-21 Raider image was published July 6 along with a new fact sheet. The Air Force identified it as an “artist’s interpretation.” It shows the aircraft taking off from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where it will be flight tested beginning early next year. The prior official illustrations were released in January 2021 and in February 2016.  

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More News On The U.S. Air Force Releasing A New B-21 Raider Artist Rendering  

Air Force releases new B-21 Raider artist rendering -- US Air Force  

New B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Rendering Released By The Air Force (Updated) -- Warzone/The Drive  

Air Force releases new rendering of B-21 Raider -- UPI 

US Releases Artist’s Rendering of Planned B-21 Stealth Nuclear Bomber, Air Force Says -- Sputnik  

US Air Force releases rendering of B-21 Raider stealth bomber with unusual windows -- Flight Global

First Two B-21 Raider Stealth Bombers Are Complete And Ready For Testing

Northrop Grumman  

Warzone/The Drive: The First Two B-21 Stealth Bombers Are Now Ready For Testing 

The first two examples of the advanced stealth bombers will now undergo ground testing before their planned first flight next year. 

 The modernization of the U.S. Air Force’s bomber branch is gathering pace, with the news that the first two examples of the so-far highly secretive Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber have been completed. 

As the service prepares to start testing the two new flying-wing bombers, it has also confirmed that it has no plans to retire additional examples of its aging B-1Bs until deliveries of the Raider begin, scheduled for some time in the mid-2020s, at the earliest. 

That reflects wider concerns in the service about whether it actually has enough bombers in its current fleet to deal with the kinds of high-end threats that it could face today.  

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Update #1: First two B-21 Raider stealth bombers are complete and ready for testing (Aerospace Manufacturing)  

Update #2: Construction of First Two B-21 Raider Stealth Bombers Is Complete, US Air Force Says (Sputnik)  

WNU Editor: This is where the first B-21s wi2ll be based .... South Dakota’s Ellsworth Air Force Base will be home to B-21 bomber (Air force times).

U.S. Air Force Plans To Buy 145 B-21 Raider Bombers

Warzone/The Drive: Plan To Buy 145 B-21 Raider Bombers Gets Endorsement From Biden Air Force Nominee 

The Air Force wants to acquire a B-21 fleet that is nearly seven times bigger than its current B-2 stealth bomber force. 

Frank Kendall, President Joe Biden's nominee to become the next Secretary of the Air Force, says he supports the service's current position that it needs to acquire at least 145 stealthy B-21 Raiders in the coming years. These aircraft, work on which is steadily progressing, are set to supplant its existing B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet, which comprises just 21 jets, in total, not all of which are available for combat operations, as well as its aging B-1Bs. 

Kendall, who has worked in the halls of the U.S. government in the past, including for a time as Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, made his remarks about the B-21 fleet during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 25, 2021. Then-Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein had first publicly mentioned plans for a B-21 fleet with 145 aircraft during a separate congressional hearing in 2020.  

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WNU Editor: The US Air force has a long way to go before we see 145 operational B-21 bombers.

Chinese Firm Claims New Stealth Drone Rivals The US B-21 Raider

Chinese company Zhongtian Feilong today unveiled first prototype of the Feilong-2 stealth drone. pic.twitter.com/65lg1DNe7y

— The A&O Board PSF (@AOBPSF) April 20, 2021

SCMP: Chinese firm claims new stealth drone may rival US Air Force’s B-21 Raider 

* Zhongtian Feilong has made a prototype it says could be used for precision strikes and as part of a swarm for surveillance 

 * Developer says it is close to the American aircraft on speed, attack range, payload and stealth but cheaper to make and could last longer 

A Chinese drone maker says it has manufactured a prototype unmanned stealth aircraft that it claims could rival the B-21 Raider being developed for the US Air Force. 

Zhongtian Feilong Intelligent Technology, based in Xian, said in a statement on its WeChat social media account on Tuesday that the Feilong-2 – or Flying Dragon-2 – prototype had recently been completed. 

It said the multirole high-subsonic unmanned aerial vehicle could be used for precision strikes on key assets such as enemy command centres, military airstrips and aircraft carriers. 

The Feilong-2 could also be used with a swarm of drones to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance, a saturation attack or damage assessment, the statement said.

It is designed to identify targets using optical and active radars in difficult weather conditions, and stealth features include a special coating to reduce reflection.  

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WNU Editor: Popular Mechanics is not impressed .... No, This Mysterious Chinese Drone Isn't Better Than the B-21 Raider (Popular Mechanics) 

More On This New Chinese Drone  

China’s New Stealth Drone ‘Feilong 2′ Already Ahead Of US’ B-21 Stealth Bomber – Chinese Experts (EurAsian /Times)  

China claims new stealth drone rivals US B-21 Raider (9 News)  

China Could Soon Have Its Very Own B-21 Bomber (National Interest)

The U.S. Air Force's 2nd B-21 Bomber Is Under Construction

An artist's rendering of the B-21 bomber at Dyess Air Force Base. Northrop Grumman/US Air Force

Business Insider: The Air Force's 2nd B-21 bomber is under construction as the first one starts 'to look like a bomber' 

 * A second B-21 Raider bomber is under construction at Northrop Grumman's facility in Palmdale, California, while the first one slowly takes shape ahead of its expected roll-out in early 2022. 

 * The lessons learned from the construction of the first B-21 Raider are being used to improve the second one, which will be used for structural testing. 

A second B-21 Raider bomber is under construction at Northrop Grumman's facility at the United States Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, while the first one slowly takes shape ahead of its expected roll-out in early 2022. 

This program update was provided by Randall Walden, director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, during a recent interview with Air Force Magazine. 

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Update: Second B-21 Under Construction as Bomber Moves Toward First Flight (Air Force Magazine)  

WNU Editor: The first flight of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber is expected in mid-2022 .... B-21 Raider stealth bomber to fly in 2022, Air Force says (UPI).

The B-21 Will Usher In A New Era In 'Stealth Technology, Avionics, Targeting, Data Management, And AI For Bomber Aircraft'

National Interest: The B-21 Stealth Bomber Revolution Is Almost Here

All we know, at least so far, point to a weapons platform like no other on the planet.

The first flight of the new U.S. Air Force B-21 stealth bomber is now less than two years away, a milestone expected to usher in a new era in stealth technology, avionics, targeting, data management and AI for bomber aircraft.

“The B-21 is intended to stand in and hit heavily defended targets with special-purpose weapons that we can use to strike from a distance or by other means. We know the B-21 will bring unique characteristics with low observability and weapons,” Gen. Mark E. Weatherington, Commander, Eighth Air Force, and Commander, Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, told The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies in a video interview.

Pilots at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., are now preparing to conduct the first “flight envelope” and “airframe” test in the coming months, a move which will begin months of Air Force effort to refine, assess and prepare the B-21s technologies for warfare.

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WNU Editor: The US Air Force wants 100 B-21s .... The U.S. Air Force Wants More Than 100 B-21 Stealth Bombers (National Interest).