The United States Air Force is about to unveil the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider

The US Air Force (USAF) and Northrop Grumman have announced that the new B-21 Raider aircraft will be unveiled in the first week of December 2022.

The aircraft will be launched with a ceremony at the company’s manufacturing facility in Palmdale, California, USA.

At the Palmdale facility, the company is currently working on six B-21 test aircraft in various stages of final assembly.

“The B-21 is the most advanced military aircraft ever built,” said Doug Young, general manager and sector vice-president of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems.

Following the aircraft’s official unveiling, the company will continue the test campaign under the B-21 program to validate the aircraft’s performance and identify the necessary weapon system enhancements.

It will be carried out in collaboration with a team from the United States Air Force Test Center and the United States Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center.

The USAF’s existing fleet of B-1 and B-2 bombers will be gradually replaced by the new B-21 long-range strike stealth bomber.

Northrop Grumman was awarded the initial contract for B-21 production in 2015.

The USAF and Northrop Grumman completed the B-21 load calibration test in May, confirming that the aircraft will fly for the first time next year.

The company, however, stated that the exact timing of the first flight will be determined by the results of the aircraft’s ground test.

“We last introduced a new bomber over 30 years ago,” said USAF Chief of Staff General CQ Brown Jr.

“In future highly contested environments, the B-21 Raider will provide formidable combat capability across a range of operations.”