The USAF has simply launched the primary picture displaying the higher facet of the brand new B-21 Raider bomber in pictures from its aerial refueling assessments.
On Apr. 14, 2026, the U.S. Air Drive publicly acknowledged that the B-21 Raider has not too long ago carried out aerial refueling from a KC-135 as a part of its ongoing check and analysis program, collectively carried out with Northrop Grumman, at Edwards Air Drive Base, California.
The service launched two pictures taken through the testing exercise, together with one that gives, for the primary time, a view of the bomber’s higher floor and a greater have a look at its distinctive air intakes and the dorsal aerial refueling receptacle. The latter seems to be completely different from the rotating one of many B-2 Spirit, because it options two-piece clamshell doorways association.
Another fascinating particulars may be seen: the presence of markings simply behind the cockpit facet home windows; in entrance of the cockpit there are air information ports just like these utilized by the B-21; furthermore, the walkway markings are additionally seen.
We reported in regards to the Raider being noticed performing AAR (Air-to-Air Refueling) assessments over Jap California on Mar. 10, 2026. The air-to-air refueling mission, which lasted 5 hours and 33 minutes, was documented by a number of photographers who have been in a position to shot some unimaginable photographs of the primary Raider prototype behind the particular outfitted tanker based mostly out of Edwards Air Drive Base.
“This system’s progress exemplifies the ideas of the Division of the Air Drive’s remodeled acquisition strategy, which is concentrated on delivering built-in warfighting functionality at velocity,” says the service in an article revealed on the official web site.
“The B-21 program is the forefront of the acquisition mindset we’re instilling throughout the drive. Each check proves the success of empowering our leaders to ship built-in functionality from the beginning,” stated Gen. Dale White, Division of Struggle direct reporting portfolio supervisor for vital main weapon programs. “This system’s use of digital engineering and trendy manufacturing processes is delivering a mature, extremely succesful system, giving us confidence as we proceed to well scale our manufacturing capability on the velocity of relevance.”
Curiously, the U.S. Air Drive article describe the Raider as essentially the most fuel-efficient bomber ever constructed, highlighting the affect the decreased demand has on the always-under-pressure U.S. tanker fleet: “the B-21 consumes a fraction of the gas utilized by legacy plane. This considerably reduces demand for theater tanker logistics and supplies commanders with larger flexibility in drive packaging.”
“The B-21’s gas effectivity is among the core elements of its lethality” stated Air Drive Chief of Workers Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “This long-range strike bomber will cut back the demand on our tanker fleet and release belongings to assist the joint drive. This can present a wider vary of employment choices and the deterrence our nation requires.”
The battle in Iran has as soon as once more proven how the flexibility to refuel bombers in-flight is essential in projecting energy globally from each CONUS (Continental US) in addition to abroad ahead working bases.
“For our bomber crews and the combatant commanders they assist, that is about endurance and mission readiness,” stated Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Drive International Strike Command. “This functionality ensures we will ship penetrating long-range strike anyplace on this planet, at any time. We’re strengthening the capabilities of our bomber drive and placing a extremely efficient and deadly weapon system into the palms of our warfighters.”
As we not too long ago reported, the U.S. Air Drive and Northrop Grumman are shifting to hurry up each manufacturing and supply of the B-21 Raider, with the primary bomber anticipated to achieve Ellsworth Air Drive Base, South Dakota, subsequent yr. The truth is, the Division of the Air Drive and Northrop Grumman have already introduced an settlement geared toward increasing manufacturing of the brand new stealth bomber whereas accelerating its supply timeline.
Air Drive officers had beforehand indicated that the B-21 would possible enter service round 2026 or 2027. Extra not too long ago, nonetheless, the service confirmed that the primary plane stays on monitor to be delivered to Ellsworth AFB, which is able to grow to be the sort’s first operational base, in 2027.
Preparations at Ellsworth are already nicely underway, with a number of development tasks ongoing to assist the arrival of the brand new platform and supply the required infrastructure. These efforts additionally included runway growth work, which pressured the bottom’s B-1B Lancer fleet to briefly relocate to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.
At current, an undisclosed variety of B-21s are in manufacturing, with last meeting happening at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, California, facility, the identical plant the place the B-2 Spirit was additionally constructed. A second B-21 prototype was delivered on schedule to Edwards Air Drive Base, California, in September 2025. As we famous on the time, not like the primary plane, it doesn’t function the air information probe and trailing cone sometimes seen on prototypes through the early levels of flight testing. The distinctive orange probe is clearly seen within the photographs launched by the U.S. Air Drive, confirming that the plane concerned within the first aerial refueling check was the primary prototype of the sixth era bomber.
