USAF’s New B-21 Raider Takes First Flight

USAF’s New B-21 Raider Takes First Flight | World War Wings Videos

YouTube / Sandboxx

A New Dawn

The US Air Force’s new B-21 Raider took its first flight on November 10 this year, marking a new milestone for the long-range nuclear stealth bomber.

YouTube / Sandboxx

The Raider left Northrop’s facility at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, at 6:51 AM with about three dozen aviation enthusiasts gathered around the area hoping to see the bomber take to the skies.

YouTube / Sandboxx

The long wire getting towed behind the B-21 is a normal fixture for initial flight testing and is used to capture clean static air measurements undisturbed by the aircraft.

Meanwhile, the B-21’s “horns” on both sides of its hump are now confirmed as auxiliary air intake doors.  This gives direct air to the Raider’s (still unknown) engines, giving it a devilish appearance while taxiing, taking off, or landing.

YouTube / Sandboxx

The aircraft is projected to cost about $750 million in today’s dollars. Moreover, the USAF plans to buy at least a hundred of them to replace the aging B-1 and B-2 bomber fleets in US service.

You can see just how smooth and sleek the Raider looks by watching the video below!

YouTube video

Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for the Latest Updates