In the United States, the second long-range strategic B-21 Raider bomber has taken flight, crafted by Northrop Grumman.
The new aircraft has taken off from Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing facility in Palmdale, California, and landed on the runway of the USAF base in Edwards after completing a long test flight.
Flight Tests and Mission Systems Tests with Armament
Thanks to the second aircraft, Northrop Grumman and the USAF will be able to further investigate the advanced capabilities of the B-21; in order to keep costs low, traditional prototypes were not made, but using advanced software development programs, real digital models, and technology demonstrator tests, it was decided to build aircraft with capabilities representative of those of production aircraft.
Flight tests already carried out with the first made aircraft largely confirmed digital modeling predictions, and tests on mission systems and armament will now be added; the heart of the aircraft will indeed be an advanced software package capable of receiving continuous updates, ensuring that the mission capability and armament of the B-21 Raider constantly evolve to meet any threat.
Training Flight and Technical Personnel for the Use of the B-21
Additionally, Northrop Grumman is preparing the USAF to operate and maintain the B-21 through its advanced training tools and sixth-generation fleet management.
The company is developing full training capabilities, which include high-fidelity, full-motion simulators, immersive labs, and virtual spaces, as part of the USAF’s Formal Training Unit at Ellsworth AFB, in South Dakota.
To that end, Northrop Grumman is developing training content and devices for future pilots, weapons loaders, maintainers, and support personnel to operate the world’s most advanced aircraft.
The future USAF maintainers will use the B-21 Fleet Management Tool under development by Northrop Grumman for the support and maintenance activities of the aircraft.
Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Image credits: @USAF
