On Thursday, September 11, 2025, the American company Northrop Grumman and the press service of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) announced the flight of the second prototype of the B-21A Raider strategic bomber, developed under the LRS-B (Long Range Strike Bomber) program.
Photos: Northrop Grumman
The B-21A T2 aircraft (alternatively aircraft no. 002) took off from the company airfield at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, and made its maiden flight to Edwards Air Force Base in the same state, where the 420th Flight Test Squadron (420th FTS) of the USAF 412th Test Wing, reactivated on October 4, 2019 specifically for the LRS-B program, is stationed.
To recall, the first prototype, T1 (named Cerberus), registration no. AF-0001 made its first flight on November 10, 2023, from the Plant 42 airfield in Palmdale, California. A second flight took place on January 17, 2024, followed by unconfirmed flights on March 28 and April 1, and a confirmed one on April 4. These involved performance testing in flight. The test fleet also includes two ground-test airframes, G1 and G2. The B-21 Combined Test Force oversees the entire effort.
According to the manufacturer’s press release, T2 will test mission systems and weaponry, as well as an improved software package updated based on prior experience with T1. So far, trials have demonstrated that the B-21A can perform flights under the most extreme mission conditions, showcasing the durability of the design by simulating operational scenarios, with results consistently exceeding digital modeling predictions.
“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 U.S. ground crews with invaluable hands-on experience in managing concurrent maintenance operations, testing the effectiveness of support tools, technical data, and logistics processes that will sustain future operational squadrons.
“In 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.”
In parallel with expanded flight testing, in 2026 large-scale infrastructure projects will begin at all three designated main operational bases for the B-21. Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, which is set to be the first to receive serial-production aircraft, is already rapidly carrying out numerous construction projects.
“The B-21 Raider program represents a cornerstone of our strategic nuclear modernization,” Allvin added. “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.”
Northrop Grumman announced that it is preparing the USAF for the operation and sustainment of the B-21A through advanced training and fleet management tools for sixth-generation combat aircraft. The company is developing comprehensive training capabilities — including high-quality full-flight simulators, immersive labs, and virtual environments — within the Formal Training Unit at Ellsworth AFB. Northrop Grumman is creating training tools and equipment for future pilots, weapons technicians, ground crews, and support personnel.
It should be recalled that on January 22, 2024, it was reported that the U.S. Department of Defense had tasked Northrop Grumman with starting Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the next-generation bombers. Before that, however, the company is required to deliver a total of six prototypes under the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase. Northrop Grumman leads a consortium with Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Spirit AeroSystems.
As mentioned, Ellsworth will be the first operational base, followed by Whiteman AFB in Missouri and Dyess AFB in Texas. Tinker AFB in Oklahoma will coordinate sustainment of operational activities, while Edwards AFB will continue to host further testing.
The B-21A Raider is intended to be the centerpiece of a family of systems and to operate in conjunction with autonomous combat drones, so-called Loyal Wingmen, known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Competing designs GA-ASI YFQ-42A and Anduril YFQ-44A have been selected. As a long-range strategic platform, the B-21A will complement the tactical ecosystem of the sixth-generation Boeing F-47 NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) multirole fighter — and vice versa.
The bombers will be armed with, among other systems, Raytheon AGM-181 LRSO (Long-Range Stand-Off) cruise missiles. Once the B-21A enters service, a gradual phase-out of the B-2A Spirit (by 2032) and the B-1B Lancer (by 2036) will begin, in line with the 2018 Bomber Vector plan. The upgraded B-52J Stratofortress will remain in service alongside the B-21A, with operational life projected into the 2050s.
B-21 flight testing – accelerated ✔️ Adding a second B-21 to the flight test program accelerates the path to fielding, bringing capability to our warfighters FASTER. https://t.co/KGyN5ZaWsh
— General David Allvin (@OfficialCSAF) September 11, 2025
Here are photos of the second B-21 Raider test aircraft taking off from Palmdale, Calif., to join the Air Force’s flight test campaign at @EdwardsAFB, today. #B21Raider #AirPower @usairforce I @DeptofWar https://t.co/86CjZwPcuD pic.twitter.com/mVO0lJE0KH
— Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (@SecAFOfficial) September 11, 2025
A second B-21 Raider has flown!
This begins weapons and mission systems testing and marking progress on our path to delivering advanced, American-made deterrence. pic.twitter.com/mmGIM0YLd9
— Northrop Grumman (@northropgrumman) September 11, 2025
Additional photos:
Tail 2 on the ground at @EdwardsAFB! pic.twitter.com/bEehEWh0Vp
— General David Allvin (@OfficialCSAF) September 12, 2025
The 420th FLTS, part of the B-21 Combined Test Force, has taken delivery of the second Raider test aircraft. The 412th TW continues to accelerate #USAF test to deliver lethal capabilities for the warfighter. #AFMC @usairforce @HQ_AFMC @AFGlobalStrike @northropgrumman pic.twitter.com/lboPpjpJfU
— Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) September 12, 2025
