In a historic moment for the US Air Force and military enthusiasts alike, the highly anticipated B-21 Raider, the nation’s next-generation nuclear-capable stealth bomber, took its first test flight from Palmdale, California.

The flight, which reportedly occurred on a Friday morning, marked a significant milestone in the development of this futuristic warplane, bringing it one step closer to becoming the cornerstone of the United States’ strategic defense capabilities.

B-21 Bomber

A Cloak of Secrecy: Classified Testing and Development

The B-21 Raider’s maiden flight was a closely guarded event, shrouded in secrecy as the Air Force and Northrop Grumman, the aerospace and defense company responsible for the bomber’s development, aim to protect critical details of the program from potential adversaries—particularly China.