US Air Force’s new £595 million stealth nuclear bomber takes to the skies

And how much it cost. A lot.

The US Air Force’s £585m secretive stealth nuclear bomber is flying through testing, literally, with new images showing the aircraft in flight.

The B-21 Raider was unveiled in December 2022, but the government has so far been discreet about showing off the cutting-edge aircraft.

In pictures released on Wednesday, the sleek aircraft is shown flying for the first time as it undergoes flight testing – after which a minimum of a hundred will be built.

The B-21 is a dual-capable bomber, able to deliver both conventional and nuclear munitions.

The bomber is named for an important landmark in US military history. Its ‘Raider’ nickname is derived from the 1942 Doolittle Raid, when Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle lead a volunteer force of bombers for the first offensive against Tokyo and the Japanese islands during World War II.

Earlier this month on May 8, during testimony at the Senate Armed Services committee, Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, highlighted B-21 flight testing is on track to meet timelines and deliver to the warfighter.

‘We are in the flight test programme, the flight test programme is proceeding well,’ he said in response to a question about the B-21 programme. ‘It is doing what flight test programmes are designed to do, which is helping us learn about the unique characteristics of this platform, but in a very, very effective way.’

Mr Hunter explained this is the first aircraft that is more digital than not, which contributes to the programme meeting requirements.

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 and assuring US allies and partners across the globe.

‘Highly survivable’ refers to the aircraft’s ability to detect and defeat threats from heat-seeking and laser-guided missiles alongside other munitions.

The B-21 weapon system is manufactured under the Air Force’s contract with Northrop Grumman, which recently unveiled a prototype underwater military drone, and is also designing a train network for the Moon.

The older B-2 model was also designed by Northrop Grumman, during the Cold War. It made its first official flight in 1989, and has been in use for over 30 years.

Commenting on the B-21, the US Air Force (USAF) said: ‘It is designed with an open systems architecture, enabling rapid insertion of mature technologies, and allowing the aircraft to remain effective as threats evolve over time.

‘The aircraft is expected to enter service in the mid-2020s with a production goal of a minimum of 100 aircraft.’