PALMDALE, CA — Professional photographer Matt Hartman has captured a significant moment in aviation history: the inaugural test flight of the B-21 bomber, dubbed the “Raider.” Developed by Northrop Grumman, this highly anticipated aircraft took to the skies in Palmdale, California, marking a milestone in its years-long development.
Watch the maiden flight here:
The Air Force explains that the designation 'B-21' reflects its status as the first strategic bomber of the 21st Century. The Raider is poised to either complement or replace the venerable B-52H Stratofortress, which first flew in 1954, as well as the B-1B Lancer and the B-2A Spirit, which bears a resemblance to the B-21.
In a revelation in December 2022, the U.S. Air Force highlighted the B-21's cutting-edge stealth technology and Electronic Countermeasures (ECM). These features are expected to render the bomber virtually undetectable to even the most sophisticated air defense systems. This capability is particularly noteworthy given Russia's recent advancements and operational experience with systems like the S300VM and S400 in Syria and Ukraine, which have challenged existing stealth technology.
The B-21 is designed for global strike capabilities from U.S. bases, significantly reducing the need for forward-deployed logistics – a current challenge with the B-52, B-1, and B-2 bombers. The Air Force anticipates both manned and unmanned variants of the Raider.
Upon commencement of deliveries, anticipated between 2029 and 2030, the B-21 will be stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, which currently serves as the primary training hub for B-1 crews and operational missions. The other B-1 installation, Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota, will be the first to receive the Raider. Additionally, Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, the current home of the B-2 fleet, is slated to host the B-21 as well.
The B-52H fleet, with aircraft built between 1960 and 1962, is undergoing engine upgrades and is expected to remain operational through 2050. These bombers are currently based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.
Northrop Grumman is actively producing the first five B-21s for flight testing. The Pentagon's long-term goal is to acquire a fleet of 100 Raiders, each costing approximately $700 million. This new fleet will supplement the 58 operational B-52Hs (out of 72 in total inventory) and the existing B-1B and B-2A fleets, which have faced operational challenges and reductions in numbers over the years.
The final production numbers of the B-21, like other military assets, are subject to annual defense budget reviews. This variability was evident in the production of B-2 bombers, where late-1980s projections for 232 units were reduced to just 22 following post-Cold War budget cuts.
More photos of the B-21's maiden flight are on Hartman's Flikr page.
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