The second B-21 Raider has arrived in Edwards — the United States is accelerating the testing of a new stealth bomber

Two "Raiders" on the same base — what does it change

The US Air Force has confirmed that the second B-21 Raider bomber has successfully flown to Edwards Air Force Base in California. Now two prototypes are assembled in one place — an important step in the development program. Previously, the tests were slow: one aircraft, limited tasks. Now you can share the load, set up parallel experiments and identify problems faster.

Having two machines on the base means that the program is moving to a new level.

From flight checks to combat systems

Prior to this, the main focus of the tests was to test flight performance. The plane took off, maneuvered, landed. Everything worked stably, without major failures. Now, with two B-21s at their disposal, the Air Force can move on to more complex stages: weapons integration, control systems testing, electronic protection and communications.

This is no longer just flying — it is the transformation of an aircraft into a combat system.

What will the second plane test?

The first B-21 will most likely continue to practice extreme flight modes, aerodynamics, and engine operation. The second one will take over checking the internal systems.: how the aircraft detects threats, how it hides its presence, and how it interacts with other platforms. It is expected that in the coming months the first tests with simulated suspension of weapons, including cruise missiles and nuclear munitions, will begin.

Special attention is paid to protection from modern radars and air defense systems, which have become much smarter than 20 years ago.

Why the B-21 is not just a replacement for old Stealth aircraft

The B-21 is not an updated B-2 Spirit. This is a fundamentally new machine: cheaper to manufacture, easier to maintain, with advanced AI and the ability to work as part of a swarm of drones. It is designed for conditions where the enemy sees almost everything, and the safe zone for bombers has been reduced to a minimum.

His job is to go where others can't. And do it unnoticeably.

Sources

1. Sentry Magazine — B-21 basing across U.S. sites and role in strategic-nuclear modernisation
2. RBC — Second B-21 arrives at Edwards AFB for tests & weapon-integration phase
3. Naked Science — Photos & details of the second B-21 at Edwards
4. Amalantra — First combat-ready B-21 Raiders to fly in 2026
5. Amalantra — Test schedule & introduction plans for the B-21 fleet
6. Kommersant — Test results & future outlook for the B-21 programme
7. Wikipedia — Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider overview

India is building its answer to the B-21 and Tu-160: an ultra-long-range stealth bomber is already in development

India is making a big move in a big geopolitical game. The country has officially announced the development of its own strategic stealth bomber, which will be called the "Ultra-long Range Strike Aircraft" (ULRSA). This will not just be an upgrade of old models, but a step into a completely new class of military aircraft.

The goal of the ambitious project is to make India one of the world's aviation powers. It is assumed that the combat radius of the new bomber will be up to 12,000 kilometers. This means that from a base in India, he will be able to reach and strike almost anywhere — from Europe and Africa to the Pacific region and even the Arctic.

This range dramatically expands the country's strategic capabilities. Prior to this, the Indian Air Force mainly operated on a regional scale — against Pakistan and China. Now we are talking about the possibility of global deterrence, from responding to threats in the Indian Ocean to potentially participating in a long—range strategic game.

The establishment of ULRSA will transform India from a regional military power into a full-fledged player in strategic aviation. Currently, only the United States (B-2 and B-21), Russia (Tu-160, Tu-95) and China (Xian H-20, Tu-22M licensed) have heavy bombers with an intercontinental range. India aims to join this closed club.

Although the exact technical specifications are still being kept secret, it is known that the ULRSA will have:

- stealth technology (low radar visibility),

- nuclear capability — the ability to carry cruise missiles with nuclear warheads,

- high degree of automation and integration into the digital battlefield,

- modern electronic warfare systems to counter air defense.

The ULRSA is not just a new aircraft. This is a strategic turn in India's military policy. The creation of such a bomber will not only strengthen its position in South Asia, but also provide an opportunity to participate in global strategic calculations. If the project can be implemented, India will receive a tool capable of changing the balance of power in the region and taking the country to a new level in international affairs.

The U.S. Air Force will receive two B-21 Raiders in 2026

The US military has officially confirmed that in fiscal year 2026, the US Air Force will receive the first two B-21 Raider strategic bombers, new stealth aircraft designed to form the basis of the country's nuclear triad potential in the coming decades.  

These vehicles will arrive in the so-called "test configuration", that is, they will not be fully operational immediately. But at the same time, they will meet all production standards and will be able to be quickly put into combat mode — for example, by removing unnecessary equipment such as a test nose beam.

Production of the B-21 will take place at the Northrop Grumman plant in Palmdale, California, which is one of the most closed and technologically advanced aerospace plants in the United States.  

The budget for 2026 allocated 10.3 billion dollars to expand production and accelerate the release of the B-21, of which about 4.5 billion will be spent on increasing the production of these aircraft.  

Currently, it is planned to produce 7-8 bombers per year, and the total number of ordered vehicles may range from 100 to 145 units. It depends on how events develop and how quickly production can be established.

The first B-21s will provide partial combat readiness, and full-scale mass deployment will begin in the following years. This is important because the B-21 is not just an upgrade, but a qualitatively new aircraft capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons, while remaining virtually invisible to radar.

So we can say that the era of new strategic bombers begins next year, and the B—21 Raider will become its symbol.

B—21 Raider

Emerging Images Hint at China's New Stealth Bomber and Advanced Fighter Developments

 Images have emerged of a new large combat aircraft, apparently making a test flight, which could be China's new secret H-20 stealth bomber. The location and exact date of the shooting were not disclosed, and the People's Republic of China has not given an of- ficial comment on the footage, the authenticity of which cannot yet be established. 

A tailless fighter airframe has appeared at the main factory of the Chinese jet aircraft manufacturer in Shenyang. The object appeared after two new tailless heavy tactical jets appeared in the skies of China on December 26. Now, a recent satellite image shows what looks like another next-generation fighter airframe or mock-up at the main Shenyang factory in the city of the same name. 

Planet Labs took the satellite image in question on January 1. It shows an object about 50 feet (or 15 meters) long with a slightly wider wingspan, on a small ramp need the main taxiway in the northern part of the airfield, combined with the factory in Shenyang. It has a mod- ified diamond-shaped delta platform with a wide central fuselage, which apparently has two upper engine nacelles. The tail is not visible in the picture. Athin, pointed nose extends from the main fuselage area. The exhaust pipes appear to have a wedge-shaped outline at the trailing edge. The chassis is not visible in the shadow, but this does not mean that it is not there, judging by the resolution of the image and the angle of light. The intriguing object seen in Shenyang on January 1 could be another concept for a next-gen- er ation manned tactical combat aircraft, in the mid-weight category compared to the heavier designs we've seen more recently, or an unmanned combat aircraft (UCAV). Manned or unmanned, it can also be a demonstrator, just a mock-up, or something completely different. It can also be used as bait to confuse foreign intelligence.