Sightings of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber are becoming more frequent on the US West Coast as testing of the sixth-generation bomber continues.

On October 31, 2024, aviation photographer Jarod Hamilton captured some amazing photos of a Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider that was involved in a test flight inside Complex R-2508, located in Southern California.

No goblins on Halloween, but I did see a ghost!#B21 #B21Raider pic.twitter.com/bNEBjGOi0g

— jmh.creates (@JarodMHamilton) November 1, 2024

B-21 Raider flies on October 31 in California #B21 #B21Raider pic.twitter.com/2Vap5mI5K4

— jmh.creates (@JarodMHamilton) November 2, 2024

As with other B-21 photos we’ve talked about recently, these photos reveal no new information about the bomber, as the Raider was already known to be a twin-engine aircraft and its general shape was shown in its images. first flight However, it is again remarkable to see the aircraft produce the contras during a test flight. Additionally, it is safe to believe that the B-21 is equipped with a condensation sensor similar to the B-2, which notifies pilots when to adjust altitude to minimize contrail formation, although it is obviously not used in flight current. testing phase.

Here’s what Jarod told us about his sighting in a message:

We drove four miles to discover a new location for shooting low-level Sidewinder fighters. It was a pretty slow day for the jet pass, so I was focusing on photographing some aerial refueling that was happening overhead.

During a down time I noticed two contrails in the distance and immediately got the feeling it was the B-21 with its follower. It made a big revolution and then the strings disappeared and so did the Raider. I can’t say for sure how far it was, but it was definitely in the lower part of the 2508 complex.

I was shooting with my Canon R5 with a 100-500 lens.

Well, quite a catch for a “slow day”!

B-21 Raider Update

The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider did inaugural flight from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale on November 10, 2023. This initial flight paved the way for extensive testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, home of the B-21 Combined Test Force (CTF). Here, three units are undergoing testing: one for aerial testing and two for ground evaluations. As the US aims to secure a competitive advantage amid evolving global threats, the B-21 is more than just an aircraft: it symbolizes a leap into the next era of strategic air capabilities.

Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Strategic Air Forces – Air Force Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Gen. Thomas Bussiere, along with a panel of military and industry leaders, delivered a in-depth update on the bomber at the 2024 ASC Conference. The discussion highlighted a key milestone: static testing has been successfully completed for the G-1 unit, confirming the aircraft’s structural reliability and increasing confidence in its digital modeling. This completion now leads to fatigue testing, a critical stage for assessing long-term resistance to operational demands.

Northrop Grumman ensured that the B-21 was designed with lessons from the B-2 Spirit in mind. The maintenance-heavy nature of the B-2 posed challenges; thus, the B-21 was designed to optimize operational readiness and reduce logistical burden. Thomas Jones, president of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, expressed satisfaction with current progress, noting the ability to conduct up to two test flights per week with a view to daily operations. This increased flight rate aims to accelerate the Raider’s path to full-scale deployment.

B-21 Raider sighting
California, October 31, 2024#B21 #B21raider pic.twitter.com/iUtMX0EkxK

— jmh.creates (@JarodMHamilton) November 2, 2024

Shortly after the B-21 began its test flights, Northrop Grumman was awarded the contract for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the Raider. While details of the contract remain secret, it is known that the unit cost was previously quoted at about $692 million, based on initial Air Force estimates. Production is moving forward with six aircraft currently in various stages of assembly, including the aircraft named “Cerberus” which made its maiden flight.

Amid these developments, remarks by General David W. Allvin at the October 2024 Military Reporters and Editors Conference suggested a possible expanding the B-21 mission profile. With NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) program under review because of its significant costs, estimated at $300 million per manned unit, the Air Force is considering alternative routes. The B-21, originally intended for long-range strategic strikes, could serve in a complementary air dominance role, reflecting a shift in strategic thinking. While Allvin didn’t explicitly say the Raider would take on air-to-air missions, his comment — “I haven’t taken that off the table” — left it open to interpretation.

The NGAD initiative, designed as a suite of systems that includes manned aircraft alongside autonomous drones known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), is central to the Air Force’s vision. These unmanned systems provide ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), decoy and strike capabilities, operating cohesively in a distributed operational framework. However, the high cost of the NGAD manned platform, almost triple that of a F-35requires a balanced approach, prompting consideration of how the B-21 might fill strategic gaps.

If tasked with an air-to-air role, the B-21 could function as a formidable “army plane,” deploying ultra-long-range missiles such as AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) to suppress or deter enemy battle formations. This would leverage the Raider’s stealth profile and advanced data link systems, ensuring seamless integration with accompanying CCAs and manned NGAD aircraft.

Raider’s versatility could extend to Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) missions, where they could launch anti-radiation missiles or deploy radar decoys. The fusion of state-of-the-art sensors and digital architecture provides a robust platform for processing electromagnetic data and coordinating complex operations. With powerful generators on board, suggested in previous reports involving fuel cell maintenance facilities, the B-21 is well equipped for the power requirements such missions entail.

This expanded view of the B-21’s capabilities highlights the dynamic nature of modern air warfare. As adversaries develop more sophisticated defenses, the Air Force is looking for adaptable solutions. The Raider’s potential as an air dominance element aligns with these strategic imperatives, positioning it not just as a bomber, but as a multi-faceted platform capable of adapting to different mission sets.

The coming months could reveal whether the Air Force decides to formally expand the B-21’s role. As discussions regarding the future progress of the NGAD, Northrop Grumman’s Kathy Warden confirmed the company’s willingness to increase production if more Raiders are needed. While Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall noted that ongoing evaluations could impact the final number of bombers, any expansion of the Raider mission could reinforce its importance in the US arsenal, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the force strategic airspace for the coming years.

We will see. In the meantime, Jarod and other photographers will hopefully have more chances to capture stunning images of the Raider during its flight tests.

Huge thanks to Jarod Hamilton for sharing his expertise and giving us permission to use his photos. Be sure to check out and follow X and Instagram.