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The B-21 Raider's first test flights at Edwards Air Force Base in 2024 mark a significant development in U.S. military aviation. The B-21, developed by Northrop Grumman, is the latest stealth bomber and was unveiled in December 2022. It is named after the Doolittle Raiders of World War II and represents the first sixth-generation aircraft intended to replace older models like the B-2 Spirit Bomber, Rockwell B-1 Lancer, and Boeing B-52 Superfortress.
Northrop Grumman emphasizes the B-21’s versatility for missions ranging from conventional precision strikes to nuclear operations. "In time, the Raider is intended to be the sole platform of the US Air Force’s strategic strike fleet," highlighting its broad capabilities.
The aircraft features advanced stealth technology, networking capabilities, and an open systems architecture. Northrop Grumman states that their design process incorporated lessons from past programs while using modern production methods to streamline efficiency. The bomber can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons such as B61 and B83 bombs and Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) missiles.
