B-21 Flight Testing, Production ‘Continues to Make Progress,’ Air Force Says

Test pilots report the jet is performing as expected with the aircraft flying like the simulator, Northrop Grumman said.

Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 03:55 PM ET

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A B-21 Raider conducts ground testing, taxiing, and flying operations at Edwards Air Force Base, California. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The B-21 Raider is making continued progress in both flight testing and low-rate production, with pilots reporting it performs as expected.
Six B-21 bombers are currently in various stages of final assembly and testing, with the flight test program effectively proceeding.
Slated to become the backbone of the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet, the B-21 is intended to replace older models and is on track for full operational status in the mid-2020s, with at least 100 aircraft planned.

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The B-21 Raider “continues to make progress” in flight testing and production, the U.S. Air Force said Wednesday.

The stealth strike bomber was unveiled in December 2022 and officially moved into low-rate production earlier this year. In January, Northrop Grumman said six B-21 bombers are in various stages of final assembly and testing at its facility in Palmdale, California.