Second Raider arrives at Edwards
On 11 September 2025, the USAF announced the arrival of the second Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider flight test aircraft at Edwards AFB (CA).
With the arrival of the second B-21, this will significantly enhance the 420th Flight Test Squadron's capacity to conduct comprehensive testing and sustainment training under supervision of the Combined Test Force (CTF) at Edwards. It will also expand the USAF's testing capabilities beyond initial flight performance checks, enabling progression into critical mission systems and weapon integration testing phases. This advancement marks a significant step toward operational readiness of the nation’s sixth-generation stealth bomber.
Simultaneously with the expanded flight-testing effort, which will see at least two more B-21s arriving at Edwards, fiscal year 2026 will see the launch of extensive military construction projects at all three designated B-21 main operating bases. Ellsworth AFB (SD), the first base set to receive operational B-21 aircraft, is already progressing rapidly on numerous infrastructure projects which will be completed when the first Raider arrives.
On 11 November 2023, Scramble first wrote about the maiden flight of the Raider.
Credit photo: USAF