WASHINGTON — The B-21 Raider took to the air for the primary time in November, nearly a 12 months after its public debut in California. In 2024, the U.S. Air Force’s next stealth bomber could take even greater steps.
The primary Raider, which was unveiled in a highly publicized ceremony in December 2022, flew to Edwards Air Force Base on Nov. 10. It’s now undergoing flight testing, which also includes ground tests and taxiing. The Air Force Test Center and the 412th Test Wing’s B-21 Combined Test Force are managing the bomber’s testing program, the service said.
The Air Force has confirmed not less than six B-21s are in various stages of construction by Northrop Grumman or are undergoing tests. This system is now within the engineering and manufacturing development phase, the service said in November, and Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota is anticipated to receive its first Raider within the mid-2020s.
The service plans to purchase not less than 100 B-21s, a sophisticated stealth bomber, to interchange the aging B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers. It is going to provide the service with recent abilities to conduct penetrating deep-strike missions, and the aircraft will find a way to hold each conventional and nuclear weapons.
Northrop Grumman said throughout 2023 that it expected a contract by the tip of the 12 months for the primary of 5 low-rate initial production lots on the B-21. That contract was not issued by press time, but once in place, it can pave the way in which for the production process to maneuver forward.
Inflation, labor problems and lingering supply chain issues are complicating the B-21 production process and raising cost estimates for low-rate initial production, Northrop officials said in earnings calls during 2023. And the corporate said it’s not expecting to show any profit on the B-21 at first, perhaps losing as much as $1.2 billion.
The B-21 formal training unit can even be based at Ellsworth. Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas will later receive their very own bombers as they develop into available. Maintenance and sustainment for the B-21 might be largely carried out at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.