Photos of the newest US stealth bomber B-21 Raider appear

The US Air Force has published photos of its newest stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider.

Here's What We Know

The photos, taken in January and April, show the new bomber during testing. The new images come as the long-range aircraft is on track to enter service later this decade.

Pentagon officials have stressed that the B-21 will be the "backbone" of America's future bomber fleet. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin praised the aircraft's stealth capabilities, noting that decades of technological progress had been used to develop the bomber.

Air Force Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Andrew Gunther said earlier this month that the B-21 flight test programme is "progressing well" and is on schedule.

The B-21 is the US Army's first strategic bomber in more than 30 years. Development began in 2015, but the Pentagon did not unveil the Raider until December 2022. Almost a year later, in November 2023, the aircraft finally made its long-awaited maiden flight. Following successful ground and flight tests, initial production was authorised.

The B-21 is scheduled to enter service in the second half of the decade. The military aims to produce at least 100 of these aircraft. According to U.S. officials, the Raider is to gradually replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers.

Northrop Grumman, the company that produces the B-21 Raider, emphasises the uniqueness of this aircraft, describing it as "the world's first sixth-generation aircraft".

Source: Business Insider