The Raider flies high and remembering the first flight of the Hustler
The B-21 has been spotted flying at high altitudes and looking back on the first flight of the B-58
“Offense is the essence of air power”
– General Henry “Hap” Arnold
Mission Briefing:
Last year on 10 November the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider took to the skies for its first official flight, relocating from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, to Edwards AFB, where it joined the B-21 Combined Test Force (CTF). This marked the beginning of an intensive testing phase, with three Raider aircraft currently undergoing rigorous evaluations. As far as we know, one aircraft is designated for flight testing, while the remaining two support essential ground tests. For now, the CTF can conduct up to two flights per week, but there are plans to ramp up to daily operations.
Following the Raider's inaugural flights, Northrop Grumman secured the contract for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the B-21. Though classified, Air Force projections have previously estimated each unit at around $692 million.
During the Military Reporters and Editors conference in October 2024, Gen. David W. Allvin hinted that the Raider might expand beyond its strategic strike role. As the costly NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) program faces scrutiny (with a projected $300 million price tag per manned unit), the Air Force is considering the Raider’s potential in an air dominance capacity. While Gen. Allvin refrained from confirming an explicit air-to-air role, he indicated the option is still under discussion, stating, “We have not taken that off the table.”
If the B-21 were to adopt an air-to-air role, it could evolve into a formidable “arsenal plane,” armed with long-range missiles like the secretive AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM). This configuration could enable it to neutralize or deter enemy formations from afar, with stealth and advanced data-linking allowing seamless integration alongside CCAs and NGAD platforms.
The Raider’s potential in Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) missions is also under consideration. Outfitted with anti-radiation missiles or decoys to counter enemy radar, the B-21’s cutting-edge sensor fusion and digital systems equip it to tackle a wide range of complex electromagnetic environments. Notably, its robust onboard power generation enhances its suitability for these high-demand operations.
In the months ahead, the Air Force may make critical decisions regarding the Raider's expanded mission capabilities. Will the B-21 step into the realm of air dominance? Only time will tell.
This week in aviation history
11 November 1956: the skies over Fort Worth, Texas, witnessed a historic moment as Convair’s Chief Test Pilot, Beryl Arthur Erickson, took the first prototype of the XB-58 Hustler, serial number 55-0660, on its maiden flight. This sleek, delta-winged marvel was the world’s first supersonic bomber, a true leap forward in aviation technology, coming in just 11 years after World War II. With its cutting-edge design, high-altitude capabilities, and Mach 2 speed, the B-58 Hustler quickly became an iconic symbol of Cold War-era innovation.
The B-58, designed with a unique "Coke bottle" fuselage shape using the area rule to reduce drag, was far more than a conventional bomber. It featured a delta-wing configuration similar to Convair’s F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart interceptors, housing its crew in separate, fully enclosed cockpits for maximum efficiency and safety. The Hustler’s four powerful General Electric J79-GE-5 afterburning engines allowed it to reach top speeds of over 1,320 miles per hour at altitudes exceeding 67,000 feet, a feat unmatched by its contemporaries. The famous J79 engine was also used by the F-4 Phantom and F-104 Starfighter.
Armed with a General Electric M61 20mm rotary cannon in its tail and capable of carrying a combination of thermonuclear bombs in a distinctive centerline pod, the B-58 was more than just fast—it was designed to deliver strategic power at supersonic speeds. Though only in service from 1960 to 1970, the B-58 left a lasting legacy in the annals of strategic aviation, representing a significant era of American air power.
While this first prototype, XB-58 55-0660, was eventually retired and scrapped, the Hustler’s impact on bomber design and high-speed aviation lives on. I’ve created an in-depth video on the B-58’s history and innovations, which you can check out in the next section of this newsletter. Dive into the story behind this legendary bomber and explore what made the B-58 Hustler one of the most daring designs in aviation history.
In Case You Missed It
Here’s that video on the Hustler where you can see footage of it flying and being tested:
Photo Outlet
Over the next year I will be releasing some of the best photos I took at the airshow, here is the next series:
Feel free to use these photos however you like, if you choose to tag me, I am @pilotphotog on all social platforms. Thanks!
Post Flight Debrief
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-Tog