See it while you can.
The Air Force has released the first in-flight photos of a futuristic-looking new stealth nuclear bomber that is expected to become the “workhorse” of the service’s air operations from next year.
First revealed to the public late last year, the sleek B-21 Raider was photographed during ongoing ground and air tests at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
“The B-21 is a long-range, highly survivable, penetrating attack stealth bomber that will play a key role in phasedly replacing the B-1 and B-2 bombers and supporting national security objectives.” The U.S. Air Force explained in a statement.
It would be difficult to detect while in the air, but its ability to carry both nuclear and conventional weapons gives it the appearance of being more advanced than any current aircraft, giving it great potential.
And the plane doesn’t just look high-tech, it’s also the Air Force’s “first deeply digital aircraft.”
The military hopes to have it ready for stealth operations from next spring.
“We have a flight test program underway, and the flight test program is progressing well,” Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, said in a speech before the Senate Armed Services Committee last week.
“This serves the purpose of our flight test program and helps us learn about the unique characteristics of this platform, but in a very effective way,” he added.
“Designed to operate in the advanced threat environment of the future, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America’s enduring air power,” the UAF wrote.
The B-21 was named after the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo in 1942 and was built in partnership with Northrop Grumman. The U.S. Air Force.
Once in service, the B-21s will primarily operate out of Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, with Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas as backup bases.
