The US Air Force Department announced Friday, November 13, that the B-21 Raider stealth bomber successfully dropped a conventional weapon during a test, moving it closer from the flight test phase to an operational weapons platform.
According to the US Air Force, a B-21 bomber flying from Edwards Air Force Base in California dropped a conventional weapon during the test. According to the Air Force, the test evaluated the strike capability of the B-21 and its ability to rapidly integrate new weapons.
"This successful test demonstrates our ability to quickly adapt and compromise any target if deterrence fails," said Air Force Secretary Troy Mink.
General Ken Wilsbach, the chief of staff of the US Air Force, also said that this test shows that the bomber program is progressing and that this fleet will provide the US armed forces with penetration attack options for decades. The US Air Force presents the B-21 Raider as the world's first long-range attack bomber and sixth-generation infiltrator. According to the announced plan, the first aircraft of this fleet should be deployed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in 2027.