See it while you can.
The Air Force has released the first in-flight photos of its new futuristic-looking nuclear stealth bomber, which is expected to be the “backbone” of military air operations from next year.
The sleek B-21 Raider, first unveiled late last year, was pictured during ongoing ground and air testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
“The B-21 is a long-range, highly survivable, penetrating strike stealth bomber that will incrementally replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers and will play a major role supporting national security objectives,” the USAF explained in a statement.
While being hard to spot once in the air, it has formidable potential by being able to carry nuclear and conventional payloads, masking it more advanced than any other current aircraft.
And it doesn’t just look high-tech — it is also the “first aircraft that is more digital than not,” the Air Force said.
The military hopes to have it ready for stealth operations from the spring of next year.
“We are in the flight test program, the flight test program is proceeding well,” Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, said during an appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee last week.
“It is doing what flight test programs are designed to do, which is helping us learn about the unique characteristics of this platform, but in a very, very effective way,” he added.
“Designed to operate in tomorrow’s high-end threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America’s enduring airpower capability,” the UAF wrote.
The B-21 got its name from the 1942 Doolittle Raid over Tokyo, and was manufactured in partnership with Northrop Grumman, the USAF said.
When the B-21 enters service, it will operate primarily out of the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, with Whiteman Air Force Base in MIssouri and Dyess AIr Force Base in Texas as backups.