WASHINGTON — The first flight of the B-21 Raider is predicted to happen subsequent yr, producer Northrop Grumman stated Wednesday.
The general public unveiling of the Air Drive’s subsequent stealth bomber remains to be anticipated later in 2022, the corporate stated in a launch. First flights of a brand new plane sometimes happen a number of months after such rollout ceremonies.
The primary B-21 completed its first in a collection of floor assessments at Air Drive Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, earlier this month, based on Northrop. The masses calibration check was probably the most crucial within the course of, the corporate stated. The drill includes configuring the plane’s devices and verifying its structural integrity by subjecting it to various quantities of stress.
That check was profitable, based on Northrop, which implies the preliminary B-21 — considered one of six now in manufacturing or testing — is constant towards its first flight. The bottom check section will subsequent contain powering up the bomber, testing its subsystems, and making use of coatings and paint. Northrop introduced in early March that the bottom check section had begun.
After that, Northrop will perform engine runs and each low- and high-speed taxi assessments earlier than the bomber flies for the primary time from Plant 42 to Edwards Air Drive Base in California, the place its formal flight assessments will happen.
The affirmation {that a} first flight is slated for 2023 gives some readability on the schedule for the next-generation bomber — but in addition an indication of how preliminary hopes for a fast first flight haven’t materialized. The Air Drive initially hoped to hold out the primary B-21 flight in December 2021, former Vice Chief of Workers Gen. Stephen Wilson stated in 2019.
However by early 2021, the Air Drive had tempered its hopes and projected a mid-2022 first flight. And by late 2021, Air Drive and Northrop officers had change into extra cautious of their statements, solely saying that the rollout would occur in 2022 and that the primary flight would observe later.
The Air Drive additionally final month awarded Northrop a $108 million contract to purchase “lengthy lead objects,” or elements wanted to construct the bomber which may take a very long time to amass. Generally, if very important parts take some time to acquire, a complete program might be held up whereas ready for these elements. So the army typically gives advance procurement cash for main packages to keep away from that drawback.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter at Protection News. He beforehand reported for Navy.com, masking the Pentagon, particular operations and air warfare. Earlier than that, he lined U.S. Air Drive management, personnel and operations for Air Drive Occasions.
