The United States Air Force has released the first official images of the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider in flight, marking a significant milestone in the development of the next-generation stealth bomber. The photos, captured by the B-21 Combined Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base in California, offer a rare glimpse of the aircraft's advanced design and capabilities.
The B-21 Raider, which is slated to become a key component of the US nuclear triad by the 2050s, transitioned from ground tests to flight tests around November 2023. This transition remained under wraps until unofficial video footage surfaced on social media, prompting the Air Force to release the official images. The new photos show the B-21 in its hangar, during landing, and in full flight, providing valuable insights into its design and features.
One of the most striking aspects of the B-21's design is its highly refined stealth capabilities. The aircraft's nose features a deep shelf-like extension, a significant enhancement over its predecessor, the B-2 Spirit. The B-21's cockpit side windows, with their small trapezoidal viewports, are optimized for signature control, further enhancing its stealth profile. Addition...
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