The B-21 is expected to reach initial operational capability by the mid-2020s and full operational capability by the early 2030s.
The B-21 is a giant flying wing design, similar to its predecessor, the B-2 Spirit. It is expected to be a long-range, stealthy, and nuclear-capable bomber that can penetrate advanced air defenses and strike targets anywhere in the world.in 2016 and was initially scheduled to fly in 2022. However, it rolled out in December 2020, and its first flight was then pushed back to mid-2023.
Taxi tests indicate that the aircraft has already conducted a series of outdoor engine runs. A taxi test campaign typically follows a pattern where ground-handling qualities are tested and evaluated at slow and medium speeds before high-speed tests, which are the direct precursor to the first flight.
Air Force officials have said that they do not plan to make a media event out of the first flight of the B-21, insisting that the bomber will fly as soon as it is ready.It was stated that one of the six B-21s currently in some stage of production and are said to be production-representative was taxiing. According to Tom Jones, Northrop Grumman aeronautics president, the B-21s are built using production tooling and should not be considered prototypes.