The B-21 Raider, the United States’ newest stealth bomber, has been shrouded in secrecy for years, but new images and information are finally lifting the veil on this cutting-edge war machine.

The Air Force and Northrop Grumman Corporation unveiled the aircraft in a ceremony that was as much about showmanship as it was a bold statement of military prowess.

Recently, an image surfaced on a Reddit post by user “u/Mug_Of_Fire,” showing the bomber’s rear-end during an outside engine test at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. This provided military enthusiasts their first glance at the B-21’s distinct exhaust geometry, a stark departure from its predecessor, the B-2 Spirit.

According to an Air Force official, the newly photographed B-21 features rounded and hooded exhausts, differing from the B-2’s boxy slot exhausts, and a flat deck ending in an upturned tail point.

Such innovations are consistent with efforts to minimize the bomber’s heat signature, crucial for maintaining its stealth against advanced enemy detection systems.

During the highly anticipated December 2 2022 ceremony, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin emphasized the B-21’s importance, stating, “No other long range bomber can match its efficiency… Fifty years of advances in low observable technology have gone into this aircraft.”

“America’s defense will always be rooted in deterring conflict,” said Austin. “So we are again making it plain to any potential foe the risk and the cost of aggression far outweigh any conceivable gains.”

While most specifics remain under wraps to preserve the bomber’s strategic advantage, some known details include that it is designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads, can operate crewed or uncrewed, and incorporates an open systems architecture for swift technological upgrades.

The aircraft will undergo initial flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, with its first flight projected for mid-2023. The Air Force intends to acquire at least 100 B-21s, with the first one entering service in the mid-2020s.

Manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a unit of RTX, the B-21’s engines reflect the latest in propulsion technology, yet their specifications remain undisclosed. Advanced materials and manufacturing techniques used on the bomber’s coatings are further aimed at eluding detection.

Overall, it is estimated that the fleet of a hundred B-21s will cost $203 billion to develop and operate over the next 30 years, according to Bloomberg.

The presentation of the B-21 Raider represents more than just the unveiling of a new aircraft; it’s a clear signal of America’s determination to maintain its edge in aerial warfare and strategic deterrence in an increasingly complex global security environment.

The B-21 is not just another aircraft; it’s an embodiment of technological dominance and a message to adversaries that the United States continues to innovate in its pursuit of national security. As Austin put it, the aircraft, cloaked in secrecy, stands as the “embodiment of America’s determination to defend the republic.”

While the full capabilities of the B-21 remain a closely guarded secret, its unveiling is a testament to the enduring spirit of American ingenuity in aerospace and defense.

Northrop Grumman CEO and President Kathy Warden called the plane the “most capable stealth bomber ever built.”