EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Although their motto is, “We Live for Firsts,” members of the 412th Test Wing, with industry partners from Northrop Grumman, recently focused on number two — the second B-21 Raider to arrive at Edwards AFB.
The second stealth strategic bomber in the Raider family achieved first flight Sept. 11, launching from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale. The jet conducted several hours of in-flight tests prior to landing at its new home.
A second B-21 Raider, the nation’s sixth-generation stealth bomber, joins flight testing at Edwards AFB, Calif., Sept. 11, 2025. The program is a cornerstone of the Department of the Air Force’s nuclear modernization strategy, designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads. (Northrop Grumman courtesy photo)
The latest Raider’s arrival to the center of the Air Force’s test enterprise significantly enhances Air Force Materiel Command’s capacity to conduct comprehensive B-21 testing and sustainment training.
Specifically, the addition of the second Raider expands the Air Force’s testing capabilities beyond initial flight performance checks, enabling progression into critical mission systems and weapon integration testing phases. This advancement marks a significant step toward operational readiness of the nation’s sixth-generation stealth bomber.
“With the arrival of the second B-21 Raider, our flight test campaign gains substantial momentum,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “We can now expedite critical evaluations of mission systems and weapons capabilities, directly supporting the strategic deterrence and combat effectiveness envisioned for this aircraft.”
The presence of multiple test aircraft at Edwards also provides Air Force maintainers invaluable hands-on experience in managing simultaneous aircraft sustainment operations, testing the effectiveness of maintenance tools, technical data and the logistical processes that will support future operational squadrons.
Airmen with the 912th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare to recover the second B-21 Raider to arrive for test and evaluation at Edwards AFB, Calif., Sept. 11, 2025. The arrival of a second test aircraft provides maintainers valuable hands-on experience with tools, data and processes that will support future operational squadrons. (U.S Air Force photo by Kyle Brasier)
“The addition of a second B-21 to the flight test program accelerates the path to fielding,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. “By having more assets in the test environment, we bring this capability to our warfighters faster, demonstrating the urgency with which we’re tackling modernization.”
Concurrent with the expanded flight-testing effort, fiscal year 2026 will see the launch of extensive military construction projects at all three designated B-21 main operating bases.
Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, the first base set to receive operational B-21 aircraft, is already progressing rapidly on numerous infrastructure projects to ensure readiness when aircraft arrive.
“The B-21 Raider program represents a cornerstone of our strategic nuclear modernization,” Allvin said. “The concurrent efforts in testing, sustainment preparation and infrastructure investments clearly illustrate our commitment to providing unmatched capabilities to deter and defeat threats well into the future.”
At Edwards, the future Air Force is flying today.
“The fact that these platforms are all coming here to be tested – every bomber in the inventory, combat collaborative aircraft, T-7, KC-46, F-35, F-22 – is a testament to the pedigree of this wing and the quality of work that we do,” said Col. Tom Tauer, 412th Test Wing commander, during a wing-wide commanders call held within an hour of the B-21’s arrival.
A second B-21 Raider, the world’s sixth-generation stealth bomber test aircraft arrives at Edwards AFB, Calif., Sept. 11, 2025. The addition of the second test aircraft expands mission systems and weapons integration testing, advancing the program toward operational readiness. (Courtesy photo)
Developed in partnership with Northrop Grumman under the oversight of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the Raider is designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads. At Edwards, the 420th Flight Test Squadron executes B-21 ground and flight testing while low-rate initial production continues from Northrop Grumman’s facility at Plant 42. Northrop Grumman is on contract to produce a minimum of 100 B-21s that will incrementally replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit. (412th TW Public Affairs contributed to this story.)