B-21 Raider Photographed Aerial Refueling For The First Time

We are getting our first look at a B-21 Raider refueling in mid air. With two B-21s undergoing flight testing, the program is said to be moving fast and the Pentagon is now growing production in order to get more Raiders faster. As it sits now, the USAF is targeting 2027 for its entry into service.

A number of images hit the net today showing the B-21 refueling behind a KC-135R. In this case it is a ‘Ghost Tanker’ stationed at Edwards AFB that works directly with the flight test community to provide aerial refueling support.

One image was posted by X user @minor_triad, showing the KC-135R plugged into the B-21 over the Mojave Desert. The B-21 appears to be the first aircraft to fly as it features an air-data boom jutting out from its nose.

Another set of photos comes to us from photographer Ian Recchio, who goes by the handle @Lookunderocks on Instagram. It shows the B-21 behind the KC-135R. It also shows a business jet-like aircraft passing underneath the two. It isn’t perfectly clear if the aircraft was working directly with the B-21 on this test flight, but it seems likely.

Another image shows the B-21 being chased by an F-16, which is customary for test flights.

@JarodMHamilton also captured a video of the refueling:

The images also give us a good comparison of the size of the B-21 compared to the KC-135R, which has a wingspan of around 131-feet. As we have said nearly since the B-21 was unveiled, estimates as to its wingspan on the internet are significantly distorted, with some putting it at remarkably small size, around 125-feet. Our estimates stand that is significantly larger, around 145-155-feet. The larger B-2 has a wingspan of 172-feet.

A lot of people think the B-21 is a lot smaller than it actually is. I love seeing graphics that show like 125 foot wingspans. Not even close. Yes it's smaller than the B-2 but not that much!