The B-21 Raider stealth bomber aircraft took its first test flight, demonstrating the U.S. Air Force's latest military technology. The bomber, originally unveiled at a California symposium in 2022, took its first official trial run in Palmdale, California, Friday. "The B-21 Raider is in flight testing.
The B-21 reportedly boasts unmatched range, stealth and survivability. It is capable of deploying both conventional and nuclear munitions. The Air Force has said the B-21 is expected to greatly advance U.S. air power, capable of striking targets anywhere around the globe. It is also hoped it will be an asset in military deterrence for regions with heightened tensions with Russia and the People's Republic of China.
Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, previously called the B-21 the "future backbone of the bomber fleet," adding that the military branch will have 100 of the Raiders at a minimum. Ellsworth Air Force Base, located in South Dakota, will be the first main operating base for the B-21. It will also serve as the first location for the B-21 formal training unit. Fox Business's Joe Toppe and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.