The US’s next-generation stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, has been photographed refueling in midair for the first time, offering a rare glimpse into the aircraft’s ongoing flight testing program.
Several images recently circulated online showing the B-21 connected to a KC-135R aerial refueling tanker while flying over the Mojave Desert.
The photos mark the first publicly seen instance of the advanced bomber receiving fuel during flight, a capability that will be critical for its long-range missions.
The B-21 Raider is being developed by Northrop Grumman for the US Air Force as part of the country’s future long-range strike capability. The aircraft is designed as a stealth bomber capable of penetrating advanced air defenses while carrying conventional and nuclear weapons.
The Air Force plans to bring the bomber into operational service by 2027.
The newly surfaced photographs show the aircraft flying behind a KC-135R tanker known as a “Ghost Tanker.” This tanker operates from Edwards Air Force Base in California and supports experimental flight testing missions.
In the images, the tanker’s refueling boom is connected to the B-21, allowing fuel to be transferred while both aircraft remain in flight.
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One image posted on social media shows the tanker physically plugged into the stealth bomber during refueling. The aircraft seen in the photos appears to be the first B-21 prototype currently undergoing testing.
It can be identified by a long air-data boom extending from its nose. Engineers use this device to collect flight performance data during early test phases.
Additional photographs captured by aviation photographer Ian Recchio show the B-21 flying behind the KC-135R tanker, with another aircraft passing below.
That aircraft appears to be a modified DC-9 test platform operated by Raytheon. The jet is equipped with a modular nose capable of mounting various sensors and radar systems used during flight testing.
Such aircraft often support stealth programs by analyzing radar signatures and other electronic characteristics. Monitoring these signatures helps engineers understand how detectable the new bomber might be to enemy radar systems.
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Another image from the series shows an F-16 fighter jet flying close to the B-21 during the test mission. Fighter aircraft frequently accompany test flights to observe the aircraft and provide safety oversight.
The photographs also provide a valuable comparison of the B-21’s size relative to the KC-135R tanker. The KC-135R has a wingspan of about 131 feet. Observers had previously speculated that the B-21 might have a wingspan of roughly 125 feet. However, based on the visual comparison, the bomber is larger than many earlier estimates.
Most current estimates suggest the B-21’s wingspan falls between 145 and 155 feet. This would make it somewhat smaller than the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, which has a wingspan of about 172 feet.
Midair refueling is a key capability for strategic bombers. By receiving fuel during flight, aircraft like the B-21 can remain airborne for extended periods and travel extremely long distances without landing. This allows them to reach targets anywhere in the world if necessary.
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Although the newly released photos mark the first time the refueling process has been publicly seen, the B-21 program has likely conducted aerial refueling tests for some time.
As flight testing continues, the B-21 Raider program appears to be advancing steadily toward its planned operational debut later this decade.
