The United States Air Force has received its second B-21 Raider flight test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, California, expanding capabilities beyond initial flight performance evaluations to include mission systems and weapons integration testing.
The addition of the second aircraft enables parallel testing campaigns, said the US Air Force, allowing engineers to conduct flight envelope expansion on one aircraft while evaluating avionics, sensors and weapons systems on the other. This concurrent testing approach will reduce the time required to achieve initial operational capability for the sixth-generation strategic bomber.
“We can now expedite critical evaluations of mission systems and weapons capabilities, directly supporting the strategic deterrence and combat effectiveness envisioned for this aircraft,” said Troy Meink, Secretary of the Air Force.
The expanded test fleet provides US Air Force maintenance teams with experience managing simultaneous aircraft sustainment operations. Technical teams at Edwards are validating maintenance procedures, technical documentation and logistical processes that will support future operational squadrons.
“By having more assets in the test environment, we bring this capability to our warfighters faster,” said Gen. David Allvin, Air Force Chief of Staff.
The B-21 combines advanced stealth characteristics with capabilities for both conventional and nuclear payload delivery. Northrop Grumman is continuing low-rate initial production of the aircraft alongside the ongoing flight and ground test programs under oversight from the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO).
Infrastructure development at the three designated main B-21 operating bases is planned to start next year. Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota is designated as the first operational B-21 location and has multiple construction projects underway to accommodate the aircraft’s arrival.
The B-21 program represents a core element of the Department of the US Air Force’s nuclear modernization strategy. The program is designed to maintain strategic deterrence capabilities through advanced low-observable technology and modern mission systems integration.
