Friday, November 10, 2023

Photos of the Day: Rise of the Raider!

The U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider stealth bomber takes to the sky for the very first time above the Mojave Desert in California...on November 10, 2023.
Matt Hartman

Just thought I'd share these awesome images—taken by freelance photojournalist Matt Hartman—of the B-21 Raider taking its very first flight from the U.S. Air Force Plant 42 facility in Palmdale, California, today!

Had I known that this historic milestone was occurring this morning, I would've driven all the way to the Mojave Desert to capture photos of it as well! Okay, maybe I wouldn't have.

But still— It's so cool to see that the Air Force's newest stealth bomber continues to move along in its steps toward initial operational capability...which will be after 2025. I look forward to official aerial photos of the B-21 that was hopefully taken from aboard the F-16 chase plane following it to Edwards Air Force Base this morning (see the video at the very bottom of this entry).

What a way to enter the weekend. Although this isn't till tomorrow, Happy Veterans Day to my fellow Yanks!

And Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! Is it next-level trolling by the USAF that it conducted the B-21's maiden flight on your special day?

The U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider stealth bomber takes to the sky for the very first time above the Mojave Desert in California...on November 10, 2023.
Matt Hartman

The U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider stealth bomber takes to the sky for the very first time above the Mojave Desert in California...on November 10, 2023.
Matt Hartman

The U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider stealth bomber takes to the sky for the very first time above the Mojave Desert in California...on November 10, 2023.
Matt Hartman




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