Yesterday, on May 22nd, the United States Air Force (USAF) unveiled the first official flight images of its new stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider. Although several photographic material was available since the start of test flights in November of last year, the recent release allows for a closer look at more details and some characteristics of the aircraft.
Emerging from the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) Program of the United States Air Force, the B-21 Raider, designed and manufactured by Northrop Grumman, it is destined to become part of the backbone of the US Strategic Bomber Force for the next quarter-century. With its introduction and entry into service scheduled for the second half of the decade, its objective is to quickly replace the current B-1B Lancer and, in the future, the B-2 Spirit, with plans for the production of up to one hundred units.
Prior to the release of the images, authorities of the force had confirmed progress and a good pace in ground movement and flight tests, which began late last year at Northrop Grumman facilities located in Palmdale, California. This is due to the new approach adopted by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, whereby test aircraft must be as representative and similar as possible to production aircraft. This includes being manufactured on the same production line, using the same materials, and tools that will eventually be used in that phase.
Although no further information was provided with the release of the mentioned images, the USAF has indicated that they comprise “…flight tests, including ground tests, taxiing, and flight operations, at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Beyond these matters, the first flight photographs of the B-21 Raider allow for the appreciation of new details of the next-generation stealth bomber. For example, more pronounced angles of attack compared to those of the B-2 Spirit in order to reduce the aircraft’s observability. Additionally, the new trapezoidal-shaped side windows of the cockpit can be seen in better detail.
Continuing with other details of the Raider, the aircraft’s serial number “AF 0001” can be seen on the side of the fuselage, as well as its distinctive light gray paint scheme, which would be optimized for both daytime and nighttime missions. Additionally, the location of the B-21’s lights can be observed, which are embedded within the bomber’s fuselage during combat missions.
Furthermore, in another photograph released yesterday, during which the aircraft’s takeoff is observed, the bomber’s auxiliary inlet doors can be seen fully open. Although the number of these doors on the B-21 is not yet known, they serve to intake more air during terminal flight operations where maneuvers are performed at steeper angles of attack and lower speeds. This image also allows for the observation of the landing gear, consisting of a single-wheel gear, while the rear gears have two wheels, instead of the four on the B-2.
Six months after the first test flight of the B-21 Raider, the official disclosure by the Pentagon and the United States Air Force of this series of images can be seen as another indication of progress and confidence in the bomber’s test campaign. However, there is still a long way to go before the aircraft, the first of the new generation of combat aircraft, is delivered and put into service, becoming a new means of conventional and nuclear strategic deterrence for the US Armed Forces.
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