USAF Pushing Weapons & Mission Systems Integration, Sustainment Planning

Northrop Grumman announced that the second B-21 Raider stealth bomber flew from Palmdale, California, to Edwards Air Force Base after conducting a strenuous test flight. At Edwards, the U.S. Air Force will move forward with integration of weapons and mission systems as well as sustainment upgrades developed through an enhanced software package.

The upgrades will ensure the mission capability of the B-21 by evolving weapons to outpace future threats.

The results of both ground and flight testing across multiple B-21 aircraft have consistently been better than predicted by digital models. These reaffirm confidence in the B-21’s performance and progress.

Taken together, the results to date enable the aircraft to proceed to more advanced phases of testing. This will be done in parallel with preparations being underway at the aircraft’s future operating bases. Additionally, future maintenance technicians will use the B-21 Fleet Management Tool under development for the aircraft’s maintenance and sustainment activities.

Troy Meink, Secretary of the U.S. Air Force said, “With the arrival of the second B-21 Raider, our flight test campaign gains substantial momentum. We can now expedite critical evaluations of mission systems and weapons capabilities, directly supporting the strategic deterrence and combat effectiveness envisioned for this aircraft.”

General David Allvin, Air Force Chief of Staff added, “By having more assets in the test environment, we bring this capability to our warfighters faster, demonstrating the urgency with which we’re tackling modernization.”

The B-21 Raider is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear payloads. Intended to be the replacement for the B-1B Lance and the B-2 Spirit, it will serve as America’s long-range strike and nuclear deterrence platform.

FMI:  www.northropgrumman.com/