B21 Raider takes to the skies

[davem]

https://x.com/ShorealoneFilms/status/17 ... 66184?s=20

[Alf]

Also see...

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-us-air ... 14132.html

[NorvilleRogers]

Assume it went to Edwards as I think that was the plan for its first short flight?

[EAGLE]

Assume it went to Edwards as I think that was the plan for its first short flight?

Yes.

[Skymaster]

I notice that the Edwards test tanker NKC-135R 61-0320 was also airborne, so I suspect that some a/a refuelling tests were being carried out.
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[Alf]

I notice that the Edwards test tanker NKC-135R 61-0320 was also airborne, so I suspect that some a/a refuelling tests were being carried out.
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Not with the B-21 though. Very unlikely they would do anything like that on a very first flight.

[luxto]

I notice that the Edwards test tanker NKC-135R 61-0320 was also airborne, so I suspect that some a/a refuelling tests were being carried out.
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Not with the B-21 though. Very unlikely they would do anything like that on a very first flight.

May have launched the tanker as a precaution. If the B-21 developed problems, which meant it had to stay airborne longer than planned, having a tanker available for an emergency might prove to be a wise decision.

[quid21]

There's a video circulating online showing it's first take-off:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAWr6BC_A4w

[JAWS]

There's a video circulating online showing it's first take-off:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAWr6BC_A4w

Is it me or is there a wire coming from trailing edge with something on the end of it ?

Some kind of testing equipment presumably ?

[POL]

It's an air data trailing cone, all new aircraft have them on their first flight(s).

[JAWS]

It's an air data trailing cone, all new aircraft have them on their first flight(s).

Thanks, POL

[skippyscage]

There's a video circulating online showing it's first take-off:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAWr6BC_A4w

Is it me or is there a wire coming from trailing edge with something on the end of it ?

Some kind of testing equipment presumably ?

measures the static pressure for testing the instruments - just like the probe on the front

[wolfie138]

why do they leave the gear down? i thought you pretty much retracted it as soon as the ground left you?

[POL]

why do they leave the gear down? i thought you pretty much retracted it as soon as the ground left you?

First flight, untested in the air, what if it doesn't come back down?

[Thunder]

I was under the impression that it’s more a case of one less thing to worry about in the event of an emergency, surely the undercarriage would’ve been tested rigorously on the ground rigs?

[Alf]

Any further ideas on the serial, Scramble have speculated on 15-0001 or 16-0001. It has 0001 on the nose wheel doors.

[raptor9]

Thunder. You are right. One less thing to worry about. Although no doubt tested on the rigs, There are no air loads on it until it's in the air, and also, in the air, the Hydraulics are no doubt engine driven pumps, which cannot be tested on the ground. Just my semi-educated guess.