The United States Army has reported that last week it carried out the first weapons-launch test of the new strategic bomber B-21 'Raider', which thus comes to be considered a "functional weapons platform".
According to the statement released by the United States Air Forces, the aircraft took off from Edwards Air Force Base, in California, and successfully carried out the firing of a conventional weapon, "validating its digital models and the maturity of its open systems architecture".
The B-21 'Raider', a sixth-generation bomber and described as "the first and only aircraft" capable of carrying out "penetrating and long-range strikes", continues its development "as planned to become the cornerstone of the future bomber fleet".
"This weapons test shows that the B-21 program is exceeding expectations," the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Ken Wilsbach, highlighted when assessing the project’s progress.
"We are building an impressive fleet that will give our joint force credible and penetrating attack options over the coming decades," the top military command added.