The bomber, built by military contractor Northrop Grumman, took off from Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, before landing at Edwards Air Force Base, where the B-21 Combined Test Force is based, the reports said. With two prototypes now flying, the service can now shift from basic flight checks to evaluating weapons integration, mission systems and maintenance operations.
US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the additional aircraft “gains substantial momentum” for the test program. At the same time, Chief of Staff General David Allvin called it key to accelerating fielding timelines.
