Arrival Of A Second Airworthy B-21 Inches Closer For U.S. Air Force

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Arrival Of A Second Airworthy B-21 Inches Closer For U.S. Air Force | Aviation Week Network

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Steve Trimble
September 03, 2025

Mission systems integration started on the first flight-test aircraft for the B-21 bomber, which is a rarity for a developmental military aircraft. Radars and other sensors are typically not integrated for several years after flight tests start so that crews can focus first on airworthiness and clearing the full flight envelope.

Credit: U.S. Air Force

Close-up of B-21 bomber against U.S. flag — Mission systems integration started on the first flight-test aircraft for the B-21 bomber, which is a rarity for a developmental military aircraft. Radars and other sensors are typically not integrated for several years after flight tests start so that crews can focus first on airworthiness and clearing the full flight envelope.

Credit: U.S. Air Force

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Andrew Gebara anticipates the day when the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider enters service by arriving at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, about 35 mi. up U.S. Highway 16 from one of the country’s most patriotic monuments. “I have these visions in my head of the B-21 flying over…

Steve Trimble

Steve covers military aviation, missiles and space for the Aviation Week Network, based in Washington DC.

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