The B-21 isn’t just America’s next stealth bomber, it’s the most advanced aircraft ever built and we’re finally allowed to see it.
In one of the most hotly anticipated military aviation reveals in history, Northrop Grumman, together with the U.S. Air Force, has finally lifted the veil from the B-21 Raider stealth bomber.
Our first glimpse of the B-21 Raider. (Northrop Grumman screengrab)
B-21 being rolled out under much fanfare. (Northrop Grumman video screencap)
Fully unobscured front of the B-21 Raider. (Northrop Grumman video screencap)
A released shot from Northrop Grumman.
Another released shot from Northrop Grumman.
B-21 in full. (Howard Altman/Thewarzone.com)
Journalists from The War Zone and other outlets were invited to actually attend today’s rollout in person, but it is being live-streamed for the general public after weeks of almost Super Bowl-esque buildup. Northrop Grumman actually teased the bomber in an ad broadcast during Super Bowl XLIX in 2015. The aircraft seen today, also referred to as T1 or aircraft number 001, is currently undergoing ground testing and is set to make its first flight sometime next year. There are five other B-21s known to be in various stages of production.
We will be updating this post very quickly with an analysis of what we are seeing and firsthand reporting from on the ground in Palmdale. We’ve also provided a section to help readers catch up on the state of the program before today’s event and to better understand what we know about the B-21 and what we don’t.
