Raider advances towards test phase
Rendering of B-21 flying above Edwards AFB. (Photo: USAF)
The B-21 programme for the USAF is making ‘good progress towards a real fielded capability’, says the Secretary of the Air Force — but could Congress scale back plans to equip the stealth bomber with nuclear weapons?
Senior DoD and USAF officials gave a status update on the B-21 Raider stealth bomber programme on 21 September during the annual Air Force Association Meeting in Washington DC.
Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, said five B-21s are being built for test purposes by Northrop Grumman at its facility in Palmdale, California.
He added that ‘all programmes have risk and the same is true of the B-21, but at this point at least, it is making good progress towards a real fielded capability’.
Similarly bullish during AFA were USAF Chief of Staff Gen Charles Brown, who said the
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