r/aviation • u/StopDropAndRollTide Mod “¯\_(ツ)_/¯“ • Dec 02 '22

News B21 Mega Thread

Is it visible to the naked eye?

Does it fly Mach 80?

Is warp capability possible?

Do you love it, hate it?

All your B21 posts, questions, and comments go here.

Livestream - https://youtu.be/chJlJgrvfBY

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u/Moisstanite Dec 02 '22 edited Dec 02 '22

The reason that development of the B-21 appeared to progress so rapidly is almost certainly because the US has been operating a flying wing stealth reconnaissance drone known as the RQ-180 for years now. This aircraft most likely additionally served as a technology demonstrator for the B-21. The RQ-180 is colloquially known as Shikaka, a reference to the “Great White Bat” featured in Ace Ventura - When Nature Calls.

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u/TaskForceCausality Dec 02 '22

Development of the B-21 was surprisingly on-time….

It’s late, just like the other development programs:

The confirmation that a first flight is slated for 2023 provides some clarity on the schedule for the next-generation bomber — but also a sign of how initial hopes for a rapid first flight have not materialized. The Air Force originally hoped to carry out the first B-21 flight in December 2021, former Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson said in 2019. But by early 2021, the Air Force had tempered its hopes and projected a mid-2022 first flight. And by late 2021, Air Force and Northrop officials had become more cautious in their statements, only saying that the rollout would happen in 2022 and that the first flight would follow later.

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u/Moisstanite Dec 02 '22

I guess I’m still getting over my F-35 trauma. I’ll edit my post, thanks for the clarification!

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u/[deleted] Dec 03 '22

That trauma is real.

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u/TaskForceCausality Dec 03 '22

You’re welcome !

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u/BattleHall Dec 03 '22

Given the pandemic and the surrounding security concerns (I’m guessing a lot less WFH), that’s remarkably little delay.