Stunning new footage has revealed the United States‘ $775million (£585million) secretive stealth nuclear bomber, the B-21 Raider, taking to the skies.
First unveiled in December 2022, the US government has been cautious about showcasing this advanced aircraft.
However, in a release on Wednesday (18 September), the US Air Force (USAF) shared images of the sleek bomber taking off from Edwards Air Force Base in California as it undergoes flight testing. At least 100 of these aircraft are planned for production.
The B-21 Raider is a dual-capable bomber, able to deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons.
In the release, the USAF said: “A B-21 Raider conducts flight testing, which includes ground testing, taxiing, and flying operations in California.
“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 (CTF) to provide survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and strategic attacks against the United States, allies, and partners.”
They also highlighted the B-21’s significance, stating: “The B-21 will be the backbone of the service’s future bomber force and will have the range, access, and payload to penetrate highly-contested threat environments and hold any global target at risk.”
The B-21 is being manufactured under a contract between the Air Force and Northrop Grumman.
In an earlier statement, the USAF noted its advanced design, saying: “It is designed with an open systems architecture, allowing for the rapid integration of new technologies and ensuring the aircraft remains effective as threats evolve.”
The B-21 is expected to enter service in the mid-2020s, with a production goal of at least 100 aircraft.