Washington, November 10: The B-21 Raider took its first test flight on Friday, moving the futuristic warplane closer to becoming the nation's next nuclear weapons stealth bomber. The Raider flew in Palmdale, California, where it has been under testing and development by Northrop Grumman. USFDA Approves World’s First Chikungunya Vaccine Ixchitq Developed by French Biotech Company Valneva.

The Air Force is planning to build 100 of the warplanes, which have a flying wing shape much like its predecessor the B-2 Spirit but will incorporate advanced materials, propulsion and stealth technology to make it more survivable in a future conflict. The plane is planned to be produced in variants with and without pilots. “The B-21 Raider is in flight testing,” Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said. PM Narendra Modi Meets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin (See Pics).

Nuclear Stealth Bomber B-21 Raider

Such testing is a critical step in the campaign to provide "survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and strategic attacks against the United States, allies, and partners,” Stefanek said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)