US EditionSecond Next-Generation Bomber Delivered to Air Force for Testing
The second B-21 Raider expands testing at Edwards Air Force Base to include advanced mission systems and weapons integration, accelerating development and sustainment training.
- On September 11, 2025, the U.S. Air Force accepted its second B-21 Raider test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base to continue its flight testing program.
- The delivery follows the Raider's formal unveiling in December 2022 and first flight photographs released in May 2024, signaling steady program progress.
- This second aircraft allows the Air Force to advance from initial flight performance checks into more comprehensive mission systems and weapons integration testing.
- The Air Force plans to acquire about 100 B-21 bombers at nearly $700 million each, while some officials advocate increasing production to 145 or more for strategic needs.
- The addition of a second B-21 significantly advances the program’s progress toward becoming fully operational and aids ongoing construction at the bases designated to support the bomber fleet.
11 Articles
11 Articles
The B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Questions That Keep Us Up At Night
Key Points and Summary – Aviation photographer Jarod Hamilton captured video of a second B-21 Raider departing Plant 42 (Palmdale, CA), confirming service leaders’ recent hints that “test bird two” would fly soon. The jet appeared without the prominent nose air-data boom seen on the first prototype, suggesting it’s further along in instrumentation fit. A B-21 Raider is unveiled at Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing facility on Air Force Plant 42 i…
Northrop Grumman Advances B-21 Raider Across Test and Production - EDR Magazine
11 September 2025 – Northrop Grumman adds another B-21 Raider aircraft to the test campaign while preparing to accelerate production. American Air Power to Outpace Every Threat The newest B-21 Raider took off from Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing facility in Palmdale, Calif. today, and arrived at Edwards Air Force Base after completing a robust test flight. With the arrival of the second flight test aircraft, Northrop Grumman and the Air Force w…
Second B-21 Raider starts test flights in California
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