Overview
- Edwards Air Force Base confirmed that an operational test pilot flew in the B-21 cockpit alongside a developmental test pilot in a flight announced on June 11, 2026.
- Test leaders say this is the earliest integration of developmental testing and operational testing in modern U.S. aircraft history and moves the program from basic flying checks into mission-systems and weapons evaluation.
- The shift follows milestones that expanded test capability, including the arrival of a second test aircraft in 2025 and the first aerial refueling trials completed in April 2026.
- On February 23, 2026 the Air Force and Northrop Grumman agreed to apply $4.5 billion to raise annual B-21 production capacity by 25 percent, increasing the need to find and fix issues before a larger production run.
- Program leaders and senior acquisition officials frame the B-21 as a core national capability with initial fielding aimed at Ellsworth Air Force Base around 2027 and say faster, combined testing reduces costly retrofits and speeds operational readiness.