The prototype of the B-21 Raider took off in the early hours of the morning at 6:51 local time, accompanied by an F-16 jet equipped with recording devices. The bomber made its journey to Edwards Air Force Base, where it is set to undergo further testing. The flight lasted approximately 90 minutes, marking a significant achievement in the B-21 program.
The United States Department of Defense indicates that five additional B-21A Raiders are currently at various stages of assembly. The formal unveiling of the prototype took place on December 2 last year. In line with current plans, the Department of Defense intends to purchase 100 units of the B-21, with each unit estimated to cost around 692 million USD.
Major partners collaborating with Northrop Grumman on this project include Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Spirit Aerosystems. The contract for the construction of these aircraft was signed in October 2015.
The Northrop Grumman B-21A Raider is a long-range strategic bomber developed using stealth technology. Its primary armament is expected to consist of precision air-to-ground munitions, capable of deploying both conventional and nuclear warheads.
Read more: What you need to know about Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider.
