US Air Force conducts weapons test on B-21 Raider

The US Department of the Air Force announced on Friday that it conducted a weapons release test for its B-21 Raider stealth bomber last week, marking a significant milestone in the development of the next-generation aircraft. This transition signifies that the B-21 is now a functional weapons platform, moving from flight tests.

The B-21 Raider, being developed by Northrop Grumman since 2015 with partners including Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Boeing's unit Spirit AeroSystems, is designed to penetrate dense and modern integrated air defense systems to deliver both conventional and nuclear munitions.

During the test, a B-21 aircraft took off from Edwards Air Force Base in California and released a conventional weapon. This successful test confirmed that the aircraft's digital models and open systems architecture performed as expected, according to the Department of the Air Force.

Air Force Chief of Staff Ken Wilsbach stated that this weapons test highlights the B-21 program's success. The Air Force also reported that the program is progressing ahead of schedule, with the first operational aircraft anticipated to be delivered to Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota by 2027.