close
close

Photographer captures breathtaking images of B-21 Raider Stealth bomber during test flight

Posted on by Larry
Photographer captures breathtaking images of B-21 Raider Stealth bomber during test flight

Sightings of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber are becoming increasingly common on the US West Coast as testing of the sixth-generation bomber continues.

On October 31, 2024, aviation photographer Jarod Hamilton captured some beautiful photos of a Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider involved in a test flight at the R-2508 Complex, located in Southern California.

Sightings of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber are becoming increasingly common on the US West Coast as testing of the sixth-generation bomber continues.B-21 Raider update

As happened with other B-21 photos we recently talked about, these shots reveal no new information about the bomber, as it was already known that the Raider is a twin-engine aircraft, and its general shape was shown in images of its first flight. However, it is striking again that the aircraft produces contrails during a test flight. In addition, it is safe to believe that the B-21 is equipped with a contrail sensor similar to that of the B-2, which alerts pilots when they need to adjust altitude to minimize contrail formation, although this is apparently not used in the current flight . test phase.

This is what Jarod told us in a message about his sighting:

I hiked four miles to scout a new location for photographing fighter jets flying low with the Sidewinder. It was a pretty slow day for jet passes, so I focused on photographing the mid-air refueling that was happening overhead.

During a break I noticed two contrails in the distance and immediately had the feeling that it was the B-21 with its chase plane. It made one big revolution and then the contrails disappeared, just like the Raider. I can’t say for sure how far away it was, but it was definitely in the lower part of the 2508 complex.

I shot with my Canon R5 with a 100-500 lens.

Well, quite a catch for a “slow day”!

B-21 Raider update

The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider has achieved its goal inaugural flight from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale on November 10, 2023. This first flight paved the way for extensive testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, home of the B-21 Combined Test Force (CTF). Three units are tested here: one for airborne tests and two for ground evaluations. As the U.S. strives to secure a competitive advantage amid evolving global threats, the B-21 is more than just an aircraft: it symbolizes a leap into the next era of strategic air capabilities.

Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Commander, Air Forces Strategic – Air, US Strategic Command, Gen. Thomas Bussiere, along with a panel of military and industry leaders, provided a in-depth update about the bomber at the 2024 ASC conference. The discussion underlined an important milestone: static testing for the G-1 unit was successfully completed, confirming the aircraft’s structural reliability and increasing confidence in its digital modeling . This completion now moves into fatigue testing, a crucial phase for assessing long-term resilience under operational stresses.

Northrop Grumman made sure the B-21 was designed with lessons learned from the B-2 Spirit in mind. The maintenance-intensive nature of the B-2 posed challenges; Therefore, the B-21 was designed to optimize operational readiness and reduce logistical burden. Thomas Jones, president of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, expressed satisfaction with the current progress, noting that he can conduct up to two test flights per week, with a vision of daily operations. This increased flight rate is intended to hasten the Raider’s path to full deployment.

Shortly after the B-21 began its test flights, Northrop Grumman received the contract Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the Raider. While the details of the contract remain under wraps, it is known that the unit cost was previously estimated at approximately $692 million, based on initial Air Force estimates. Production is progressing with six airframes currently in various stages of assembly, including the aircraft named “Cerberus”, which performed the first flight.

Amid these developments, comments by General David W. Allvin at the Military Reporters and Editors conference in October 2024 suggested a possible expanding the B-21’s mission profile. With the NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) program under scrutiny due to the significant cost, estimated at $300 million per manned unit, the Air Force is considering alternate routes. Initially intended for long-range strategic strikes, the B-21 could potentially serve in an additional air dominance role, reflecting a shift in strategic thinking. While Allvin did not explicitly state that the Raider would fly air-to-air missions, his comment – ​​“We haven’t taken that off the table” – left the possibility open to interpretation.

The NGAD initiative, conceived as a suite of systems that includes manned aircraft in addition to autonomous drones known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), is critical to the Air Force’s vision. These unmanned systems provide ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), decoy and attack capabilities and function cohesively within a distributed operational framework. However, the high cost of the manned NGAD platform is almost three times that of one F-35requires a balanced approach, prompting consideration of how the B-21 could fill strategic gaps.

If the B-21 were to take on an air-to-air role, it could operate as a formidable “arsenal aircraft,” capable of carrying ultra-long-range missiles such as the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) to suppress or deter enemy combat formations. This would leverage the Raider’s stealth profile and advanced data link systems, ensuring seamless integration with accompanying CCAs and manned NGAD aircraft.

The Raider’s versatility can extend to Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) missions, where it could launch anti-radiation missiles or deploy radar decoys. The advanced sensor fusion and digital architecture provide a robust platform for processing electromagnetic data and coordinating complex operations. With powerful onboard generators referenced in previous reports on fuel cell maintenance facilities, the B-21 is well equipped for the energy demands such missions entail.

This comprehensive view of the B-21’s capabilities highlights the dynamic nature of modern air warfare. As adversaries develop increasingly sophisticated defenses, the Air Force looks for adaptable solutions. The Raider’s potential as an air dominance asset aligns with these strategic imperatives, positioning it not only as a bomber, but also as a versatile platform that can adapt to different mission sets.

The coming months may reveal whether the Air Force decides to officially expand the role of the B-21. During discussions about the future progress of the NGAD, Northrop Grumman’s Kathy Warden confirmed the company’s willingness to scale up production if more Raiders are needed. While Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has noted that ongoing assessments could impact the final number of bombers, any expansion of the Raider’s mission could cement its importance in the U.S. arsenal, making it a cornerstone of the US military for years to come. strategic air power remains.

We’ll see. In the meantime, Jarod and other photographers will hopefully have more opportunities to capture stunning images of the Raider during its flight tests.

Many thanks to Jarod Hamilton for sharing his experiences and granting permission to use his photos. Be sure to take a look and follow him on X and Instagram.

The B-21 was chased by an F-16 on October 31, 2024. Credit: Jarod Hamilton