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6d ago

Second B-21 Raider Arrives at Edwards AFB, Advancing Tests to Mission Systems and Weapons

The additional production‑representative jet enables a pivot from basic flights to mission‑systems testing focused on weapons integration.

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Pictured is the first U.S. Air Force flight test B-21 Raider bomber at Edwards AFB, Calif. last year (Photo on Air Force Website)
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Overview

  • The aircraft flew from Palmdale to Edwards on Sept. 11, giving the Air Force two B-21s in flight test and accelerating the campaign.
  • Officials say the expanded effort will evaluate mission systems and weapons capabilities after initial performance checks on the first jet.
  • Multiple test aircraft at Edwards allow maintainers to practice sustainment on simultaneous jets, validate tools and technical data, and refine logistics.
  • The Air Force plans extensive military construction in fiscal 2026 at Ellsworth, Whiteman and Dyess, with Ellsworth slated to receive the first operational B-21s.
  • The program remains in low‑rate initial production with additional airframes in assembly, a planned fleet of at least 100 to replace B‑1Bs and B‑2s, and an open‑architecture, software‑centric upgrade approach highlighted by Northrop Grumman.