PALMDALE, Calif. – Sept. 12, 2023 – (PHOTO RELEASE) The U.S. Air Force announced today the B-21 Raider has commenced engine runs as part of its ground test program at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, California, facility. Engine testing is an essential milestone for the program as the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft continues on the path to flight test.
The B-21’s first flight will remain a data driven event that is monitored by Northrop Grumman and the United States Air Force.
Northrop Grumman’s sixth-generation aircraft, the B-21, forms the backbone of future U.S. air power, leading a powerful family of systems that deliver a new era of capability and flexibility by seamlessly integrating data, sensors, and weapons. Built with next-generation stealth, advanced networking and an open systems architecture, the B-21 is specifically designed for high-threat environments, ensuring the U.S. Air Force is equipped to accomplish its most challenging missions.
