U.S. Military Conducts First Weapon Drop Test for Next-Generation Bomber B-21
According to the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman, the B-21 Raider completed its first weapon drop test this month, as reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine on November 13, 2026.
The U.S. military stated that the weapons release, conducted in early November, marks a key transition for the aircraft from a test platform to an operational weapons system. Northrop Grumman confirmed in a statement that the bomber has now advanced into the weapons testing phase.
Developed by Northrop, the B-21 is the U.S. Air Force’s newest stealth bomber and the service’s first new strategic bomber in over three decades. Its advancements in stealth capability, open systems architecture, advanced sensors, and data sharing have led both the Air Force and Northrop to characterize it as the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft.
The Raider is designed to conduct long-range missions without refueling, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear munitions, and able to penetrate adversary airspace with precision.
In the early November test, a B-21 took off from Edwards Air Force Base in California and released a conventional weapon; the specific type was not disclosed in the Air Force statement.
The military declared the test successful, validating the maturity of the aircraft’s initial design and its open systems architecture, while demonstrating its strike capabilities. The test also underscored the aircraft’s ability to rapidly integrate new technologies, reinforcing its role as the future cornerstone of the U.S. bomber fleet.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink stated: “The B-21 is designed to enhance combatant power through reliability and maintainability, enabling rapid integration of new weapons. This successful test demonstrates our ability to adapt quickly and destroy targets where failure is not an option.”
The Air Force noted that the test followed thousands of hours of virtual modeling using a digital twin of the B-21, allowing the joint test force to accelerate weapons integration. It also enabled unprecedented precision in predicting and refining weapon trajectories prior to flight.
Northrop Grumman echoed praise for the B-21 and the Air Force’s “consistent pace of rapid testing and progress” in its own statement.
Tom Jones, President of Northrop Grumman’s Aviation Systems division, said: “The B-21 has taken another critical step forward, delivering unparalleled deterrence to the United States. Northrop Grumman is transforming cutting-edge technology into real-world capability and delivery—balancing performance with speed.”
The Air Force and Northrop Grumman said the first operational-capable B-21 is expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota by 2027.
Northrop also indicated that the B-21 program is accelerating production and testing readiness to support the base’s eventual receipt of the aircraft.
The company recently opened a new B-21 manufacturing facility in Layton, Utah, spanning 265,000 square feet. Additionally, construction has begun on a 1 million-square-foot assembly line at Northrop’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California.
Northrop stated: “These facilities—and others soon to follow—demonstrate how Northrop Grumman is responding to the Air Force’s directive to accelerate B-21 production and fielding.”
Northrop Grumman emphasized that the B-21 features “exceptional payload flexibility,” enabling commanders to tailor weapon configurations for specific missions, whether conducting long-range strikes or operating in contested adversary airspace.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881795058611339/
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