Recently, we have not only seen the second B-21 Raider stealth bomber, but also a photo showing two B-21 stealth bombers together. The second pre-production B-21 bomber completed its maiden flight at the Air Force Plant 42 a while back, and then arrived at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
These two pre-production B-21 bombers are currently assigned to the 420th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, which has long been a center for Air Force testing and evaluation. Starting in the 2010s, the base underwent significant expansion in preparation for the arrival of the B-21 Raider bombers.
Northrop Grumman’s initial production plan includes six pre-production Raiders, with four more currently in various stages of construction at Plant 42. By January 2025, Northrop Grumman had also secured two low-rate initial production contracts for the B-21.
The second bomber was first sighted by military enthusiasts near Plant 42 in September. Video footage showed the bomber flying forward with landing gear down, indicating it was in the initial flight test phase. Additionally, this bomber lacked the sensors and fairings seen on the 2023 B-21 bomber for collecting air data, and an F-16 fighter jet was also seen flying nearby.
The first B-21 bomber made its maiden flight in November 2023 at Plant 42 before being transferred to Edwards Air Force Base for testing. Over the following year, this B-21 bomber took off from Edwards Air Force Base about twice a week.
The U.S. Air Force has stated the goal is to conduct flight tests on two B-21s by 2026, in addition to delivering at least two non-flying airframes for ground and static testing purposes.
From the newly released photos of the second bomber, more details can be seen, including a high-resolution image of the underside of the B-21, revealing a massive main weapons bay flanked by two smaller side bays. Experts believe these side bays may house sensor systems rather than additional weapon bays. Alternatively, they could be access hatches for engine and other systems rather than auxiliary weapons bays.
The second B-21, unlike the first that flew in November 2023, lacks a distinct nickname. The first B-21, called “Kerberos,” bears the silhouette of a three-headed dog from Roman mythology outside the front landing gear well.
Comparison of the intake ducts of the B-2 and B-21 bombers reveals differences in design. While the B-2’s intake forms a protrusion above the wing, the B-21’s intake sits recessed beneath the wing, aiding in aerodynamics and stealth capabilities.
The use of Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine derivative in the B-21 contributes to its rapid progress due to the engine’s mature technology and production process. The U.S. Air Force plans massive military construction projects at the designated B-21 bases in fiscal year 2026, with Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota being the first to receive B-21 aircraft.
As the B-21 enters service, it will first replace B-2 and B-1B bombers at bases in Missouri, South Dakota, and Texas. General estimates suggest a need for around 145 to 200 B-21s to meet high-intensity combat requirements in the Indo-Pacific region.
In the near future, we can expect to see more B-21s in service and possibly their presence in Japan and the Western Pacific region.