The second stealth bomber B-21 Raider, T-2, conducted its inaugural flight on September 11, 2025, taking off from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale and landing at Edwards Air Force Base, escorted by an F-16.
The aircraft joins the first prototype T-1 and the two ground test models, G-1 and G-2, allowing the evaluation campaign to progress in parallel and with lower risk while preparing for the next phase of testing, including weapons integration and maintenance.
A new photo captured just after takeoff clearly shows the B-21’s engine exhaust, which has notable similarities to the B-2 Spirit system. Designed to reduce infrared signature and enhance stealth, the exhaust mixes hot gases with air from secondary inlets and features a straight trailing edge, unlike the B-2’s serrated design. The layout also protects the hottest parts of the engine and aids thermal dissipation, following principles already applied in other stealth aircraft such as the F-117, F-22, and X-47B.
Stealth aircraft exhaust systems vary according to mission priorities. Bombers dedicated to penetrating dense defenses, like the B-2 and now the B-21, prioritize infrared signature reduction over maximum engine performance. Multirole fighters, such as the F-22 and F-35, balance stealth, maneuverability, and thrust.
The new image of the B-21 reinforces the U.S. Air Force’s commitment to advancing stealth technology, improving its ability to operate in highly defended environments.
Source: The Aviationist | Photo: X @JarodMHamilton | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
B-21 Raider early morning departure pic.twitter.com/WjqFhKCfNj
— jmh.creates (@JarodMHamilton) September 19, 2025
