Second known test flight of B-21 confirmed by US Air Force
USAF is planning to buy 100 B-21 Raider stealth bombers. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
US Air Force awarded the B-21 Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract to Northrop Grumman in 2015. The design was unveiled to the public in February 2016 under the LRS-B programme and has been scheduled to enter service within the next few years.
The US Air Force (USAF) has confirmed the second known test flight of a Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber from Edwards Air Force base on 17 January.
The confirmation to several media sources came after enthusiasts noted on radars the appearance of a chase plane which had also been used during the first test flight of a B-21 in November last year.
In statements to the press, USAF officials refused to disclose the number of test flights that have taken place or any future plans for the bomber.
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According to USAF: “Flight testing is a critical step in the test campaign managed by the Air Force Test and Test Wing’s B-21 Combined Test Force to provide survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and strategic attacks against the United States, allies and partners.”
Shephard Defence Insight noted that the aircraft would succeed the B-1 and B-2 fleets in the USAF service and possibly the B-52s in the future.
The aircraft has been scheduled to enter service in the mid-2020s. The USAF has planned to procure 100 aircraft, which has been assumed to be powered by two Pratt & Whitney engines, each producing 15,000lb thrust.
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