Overview
- The service said a Raider test aircraft flew in close formation with a KC-135 on March 10 over eastern California and did not confirm any fuel transfer.
- Plane spotters’ photos and video showed the bomber positioned behind the tanker, in some frames appearing connected, with an F-16 chase jet; tracking data indicated a roughly 5.5-hour mission at about 23,000 feet.
- Open sources identified the refueler as an NKC-135 test-configured aircraft, tail number 61-0320, supporting the 370th Flight Test Squadron out of Edwards Air Force Base.
- Air Force statements characterize the event as part of the B-21’s structured flight-test campaign, with the program on track to field the first jets at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027.
- Separate from flight testing, the Pentagon and Northrop Grumman are expanding B-21 production capacity by about 25% using $4.5 billion, as leaders debate future, more survivable refueling options beyond legacy tankers.