B-21 Raider 'T1' is beginning engine test-runs 1

[WKTaylor]

New B-21 photos released, as engine runs begin
“We're still hopeful of having first flight this year,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said. “If I were to say it will, I would be making a very specific prediction, and I never do that about an acquisition program for something that hasn't happened yet.”
... ...

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/new-b-21-photos-released-as-engine-runs-begin/

Regards, Wil Taylor
o Trust - But Verify!
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation, Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", HBA forum]
o Only fools and charlatans know everything and understand everything." -Anton Chekhov

 

[WKTaylor]

B-21 Raider takes first flight
The B-21 Raider, America's newest stealth bomber, "is in flight testing," an Air Force spokesperson confirmed to Breaking Defense. [with short video]

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/b-21-raider-takes-first-flight/

B-21 Raider Has Flown For The First Time (Updated)
On Friday, November 10, at just after dawn, the B-21 Raider took to the skies over Palmdale’s Plant 42, marking its first flight. [with high quality telephoto images of many aspects]

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/b-21-raider-has-flown-for-the-first-time

Regards, Wil Taylor
o Trust - But Verify!
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation, Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", HBA forum]
o Only fools and charlatans know everything and understand everything." -Anton Chekhov

 

[WKTaylor]

AND... OH yeah... I'll bet that the majority of jet-noise... as the B-21 passed overhead... was from the T-38 flying chase... with it's (2) loud J-85 turbojet engines... and maybe that was fortunate-deliberate???

Regards, Wil Taylor
o Trust - But Verify!
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation, Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", HBA forum]
o Only fools and charlatans know everything and understand everything." -Anton Chekhov

 

[Sparweb]

So what do you think the maximum cross-wind on landing will be for this one?
...5 knots?

I've learned to never make judgements of noise from hand-held cell phone video.
Sometimes people's breathing is louder than the subject.

 

[WKTaylor]

sw...

I expect the B-21 cross-wind capability for TO/LDG should be at least as good as the B-2.

The B-21 is supposed to be a bit smaller than the B-2... with better/more durable stealth features... not nearly so hard to maintain.

PS: The size of the B-2 is deceptive... up close and personal it is huge. I've kinda SWAG-speculated that non-combat B-2s could use their huge bomb-bays for rapid-turn small-satellite drop-launches... 2-at-a-time... for the high-altitude/speed advantage. But I digress.

Regards, Wil Taylor
o Trust - But Verify!
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation, Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", HBA forum]
o Only fools and charlatans know everything and understand everything." -Anton Chekhov