US B-21 stealth bomber conducts first conventional weapon release test
The aircraft performed the weapon-release exercise from Edwards Air Force Base in California to validate its operational capabilities.
The US B-21 Raider stealth bomber has released its first conventional weapon during a test at Edwards Air Force Base in California, according to the Times of India.
The US Department of the Air Force announced the development on Friday, stating the exercise validated the aircraft's open systems architecture and digital models.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the milestone showed the programme is advancing in its ability to integrate new weapons and provide better combat capabilities.
The Air Force noted that thousands of hours of virtual modelling using a digital twin environment helped engineers predict the weapon's trajectory before the flight.
The B-21, developed by Northrop Grumman, is a sixth-generation long-range strategic bomber designed to penetrate advanced air-defence systems with both conventional and nuclear weapons.
The US Air Force plans to acquire at least 100 of these aircraft to replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit in its future bomber fleet.
