The new B-21 Raider has completed its first test flight — Weapon and mission systems testing is underway.

Northrop Grumman's newest B-21 Raider bomber has arrived at Edwards Air Force Base after a successful test flight, taking off from its Palmdale, California, manufacturing facility. The flight marked a significant milestone in the platform's extended flight-test campaign, the company said in a statement.

Following the completion of the first flight, the test program will move to the next phase—field validation of the aircraft's weapons, mission systems, and software integration, which goes beyond flight performance. Northrop Grumman states that the new software packages will enable seamless upgrades to the B-21 fleet and rapidly increase the aircraft's mission capability. Ground tests and flight simulations have enabled engineers to verify the B-21's durability and reliability under the most challenging mission conditions.

The company is making extensive preparations for the training of aircrew who will simultaneously operate and maintain the B-21. The official training unit, based at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, is developing full-motion simulators, immersive labs, and virtual training areas, providing advanced training infrastructure for pilots, munitions personnel, and maintenance crews.

Northrop Grumman also announced the launch of military construction projects for three major bases that will host B-21 operations in fiscal 2026. Company officials stated that they aim to complete the infrastructure work by the time the first operational aircraft are deployed at the bases.

The company emphasized that confidence in the B-21 program has increased as data from flight tests exceed digital modeling predictions, and that the aircraft's capability set will become clearer in later stages of testing.