Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force recently achieved a major milestone with the first flight of the B-21 Raider, providing us with new insights into the world’s most advanced flying machine. Here are some key takeaways from this historic event.
Firstly, let’s talk about the name. The B-21 Raider’s first example carries a special nickname on its gear door: Cerberus. In Greek mythology, Cerberus is the hound of Hades that guards the gates of the underworld. This dark and ominous name is fitting for an aircraft that is considered one of the most destructive ever created.
During the B-21’s takeoff, many noticed a long wire and aerial being towed behind it. This is a normal fixture for initial flight testing and is an air data ‘trailing cone’ used to capture clean static air measurements. It works in conjunction with other sensors installed on the aircraft to gather precise data for testing activities.
Moving on to the aircraft’s structure and features, the B-21’s planform matches what was expected and resembles an earlier iteration of the B-2. The design of the B-21 has a direct link to the Advanced Technology Bomber program’s Senior Ice design, which eventually became the B-2 Spirit.
One notable feature of the B-21 is the auxiliary air intake doors, often referred to as ‘horns’, on either side of the center fuselage barrel. These doors provide additional direct air to the aircraft’s engines. Additionally, the B-21’s conformal inlets, which are among the program’s most challenging features to develop, ensure the aircraft’s stealth capabilities.
The B-21’s profile is sleek and features angled side windows that give it an angry and sinister appearance. Its smaller stature compared to the B-2 is also noticeable. The aircraft’s belly reveals its primary weapons bay, which is smaller than that of the B-2. It is expected to carry one Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) or a new, smaller deep-penetrating weapon. The bay is designed to be easily reconfigurable for different weapons arrangements.
There is speculation about the existence of smaller secondary weapons bays on the B-21. These auxiliary bays could accommodate advanced air-to-air missiles for self-defense and the Stand-In Attack Weapon (SiAW) for highly protected missions. The presence of hatches next to the primary weapons bay suggests the possibility of additional weapons storage.
Lastly, the exhausts of the B-21 resemble those of the B-2, but they appear more conformal, with smaller and deeply buried engines. It is unclear whether the B-21 is a twin or quad-engined aircraft, as this information has not been disclosed.
Overall, the first flight of the B-21 Raider has provided valuable insights into the aircraft’s design and capabilities. It represents a significant step forward for Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force in advancing the field of advanced flying machines.
