The B-21 “Raider” bomber, designed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Air Force, successfully completed its inaugural flight on Friday. The highly-anticipated flight marked a significant milestone in the development of this long-range nuclear-capable stealth bomber.
Taking off at sunrise from the Air Force’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, the B-21 provided aviation enthusiasts and amateur photographers with an unscripted glimpse of the aircraft. Although Air Force leaders did not publicize the flight, around three dozen spectators gathered in the hopes of witnessing the historic moment.
Resembling its predecessor, the B-2, the B-21 boasts a distinctive “flying wing” design. This advanced aircraft will possess the capability to deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons globally, thanks to its long-range and mid-air refueling abilities.
While the projected cost of each B-21 aircraft is estimated at $550 million in 2010 dollars (approximately $750 million in today’s inflation-adjusted dollars), the Air Force has kept other pricing details classified. This lack of transparency has made it challenging to validate the proposed cost, according to a Congressional Research Service report released in 2021.
The Air Force plans to acquire a minimum of 100 B-21 bombers, which will eventually replace the existing B-1 and B-2 bombers. Operating costs for the current aircraft are significant, with the B-1 costing around $60,000 per hour and the B-2 about $65,000 per hour, according to Pentagon data.
Ann Stefanek, an Air Force spokesperson, confirmed that the B-21 Raider is currently undergoing flight testing as part of the critical test campaign managed by the Air Force Test Center and 412th Test Wings B-21 Combined Test Force. Six test aircraft are currently being produced, utilizing the same tools, processes, and technicians that will be involved in building the production aircraft.
In 2015, Northrop Grumman won the contract to manufacture the B-21 bomber, beating out a team comprised of Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The project involves collaboration with over 400 suppliers across 40 states, including engine-maker Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Spirit Aerosystems.
Although the B-21 was officially unveiled to the public in December 2022, the anticipation surrounding its first flight has been building for years. Initially, there were hints that the bomber could take to the skies as early as December 2021, but the Air Force later revised the timeline to mid-2022. However, in early 2022, the service further delayed the first flight until 2023.
Northrop Grumman is referring to the B-21 as a sixth-generation aircraft due to its ability to connect with other aircraft and easily integrate future weapons into its systems architecture. Furthermore, the bomber features more durable, stealth-enabling low observable surface material, which is expected to reduce maintenance requirements and decrease operational costs and downtime.
The successful first flight of the B-21 Raider represents a major achievement for the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman, bringing the vision of a new fleet of advanced bombers closer to reality.
