The USAF has just released the first image showing the upper side of the new B-21 Raider bomber in photos from its aerial refueling tests.
On Apr. 14, 2026, the U.S. Air Force publicly acknowledged that the B-21 Raider has recently conducted aerial refueling from a KC-135 as part of its ongoing test and evaluation program, jointly conducted with Northrop Grumman, at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
The service released two photographs taken during the testing activity, including one that provides, for the first time, a view of the bomber’s upper surface and a better look at its distinctive air intakes and the dorsal aerial refueling receptacle. The latter appears to be different from the rotating one of the B-2 Spirit, as it features two-piece clamshell doors arrangement.
Some other interesting details can be noticed: the presence of markings just behind the cockpit side windows; in front of the cockpit there are air data ports similar to those used by the B-21; moreover, the walkway markings are also visible.
We reported about the Raider being spotted performing AAR (Air-to-Air Refueling) tests over Eastern California on Mar. 10, 2026. The air-to-air refueling mission, which lasted 5 hours and 33 minutes, was documented by several photographers who were able to shot some incredible images of the first Raider prototype behind the special equipped tanker based out of Edwards Air Force Base.
“The program’s progress exemplifies the principles of the Department of the Air Force’s transformed acquisition approach, which is focused on delivering integrated warfighting capability at speed,” says the service in an article published on the official website.
“The B-21 program is the leading edge of the acquisition mindset we are instilling across the force. Every test proves the success of empowering our leaders to deliver integrated capability from the start,” said Gen. Dale White, Department of War direct reporting portfolio manager for critical major weapon systems. “The program’s use of digital engineering and modern production processes is delivering a mature, highly capable system, giving us confidence as we continue to smartly scale our production capacity at the speed of relevance.”
Interestingly, the U.S. Air Force article describe the Raider as the most fuel-efficient bomber ever built, highlighting the impact the reduced demand has on the always-under-pressure U.S. tanker fleet: “the B-21 consumes a fraction of the fuel used by legacy aircraft. This significantly reduces demand for theater tanker logistics and provides commanders with greater flexibility in force packaging.”
“The B-21’s fuel efficiency is one of the core components of its lethality” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “This long-range strike bomber will reduce the demand on our tanker fleet and free up assets to support the joint force. This will provide a wider range of employment options and the deterrence our nation requires.”
The war in Iran has once again shown how the ability to refuel bombers in-flight is crucial in projecting power globally from both CONUS (Continental US) as well as overseas forward operating bases.
“For our bomber crews and the combatant commanders they support, this is about endurance and mission readiness,” said Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. “This capability ensures we can deliver penetrating long-range strike anywhere in the world, at any time. We are strengthening the capabilities of our bomber force and putting a highly effective and lethal weapon system into the hands of our warfighters.”
As we recently reported, the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman are moving to speed up both production and delivery of the B-21 Raider, with the first bomber expected to reach Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, next year. In fact, the Department of the Air Force and Northrop Grumman have already announced an agreement aimed at expanding production of the new stealth bomber while accelerating its delivery timeline.
Air Force officials had previously indicated that the B-21 would likely enter service around 2026 or 2027. More recently, however, the service confirmed that the first aircraft remains on track to be delivered to Ellsworth AFB, which will become the type’s first operational base, in 2027.
Preparations at Ellsworth are already well underway, with multiple construction projects ongoing to support the arrival of the new platform and provide the required infrastructure. These efforts also included runway expansion work, which forced the base’s B-1B Lancer fleet to temporarily relocate to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.
At present, an undisclosed number of B-21s are in production, with final assembly taking place at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, California, facility, the same plant where the B-2 Spirit was also built. A second B-21 prototype was delivered on schedule to Edwards Air Force Base, California, in September 2025. As we noted at the time, unlike the first aircraft, it does not feature the air data probe and trailing cone typically seen on prototypes during the early stages of flight testing. The distinctive orange probe is clearly visible in the images released by the U.S. Air Force, confirming that the aircraft involved in the first aerial refueling test was the first prototype of the 6th generation bomber.
