Air Force Orders Indefinite Safety Stand-down of B-2 Fleet

Air Force Orders Indefinite Safety Stand-down of B-2 Fleet

Dec. 19, 2022 | By Chris Gordon

The Air Force has ordered a safety stand-down for its entire fleet of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, after an emergency landing damaged one of the billion-dollar planes Dec. 10 at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and closed the base’s only runway.

The Dec. 10 incident occurred after an in-flight malfunction forced the emergency landing. Photos from local media outlets and satellite imagery showed the aircraft with one wing on the ground, partially off the runway—the Air Force has only confirmed the aircraft was damaged after it landed and there was a fire.

Whiteman is home to the Air Force’s entire fleet of strategic stealth bombers, which are operated by the 509th Bomb Wing.

“The safety pause is for all B-2s in the fleet,” 509th Bomb Wing spokesperson MSgt. Beth Del Vecchio told Air & Space Forces Magazine in an email on Dec. 19.

News of the stand-down was first hinted at in a release issued Dec. 16 by the 509th Bomb Wing, which said a B-2 would not perform a flyover of the 2023 Rose Parade or Rose Bowl college football game in Pasadena, Calif, as is tradition, with a B-1B Lancer taking its place.

“Our number one concern is the safety and security of our personnel and fleet,” Col. Daniel Diehl, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, said in the statement. “Although we are not participating in this flyover, we remain steadfast in our commitment to answer our nation’s call.”

Pressed for further details Dec. 19, the 509th Bomb Wing detailed that all 20 B-2s in its fleet would not fly while the service conducts safety inspections.

“Whiteman AFB will have a safety pause of B-2 flights in order to inspect the fleet following the incident Dec. 10, 2022,” Del Vecchio said.

The Aviationist first reported news of the stand-down, citing a notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that Whiteman’s runway closure had extended into 2023. Del Vecchio said the safety stand-down will go on indefinitely.

“At this time, there is no speculated end date for the safety pause,” Del Vecchio said. “Every incident is unique and we are currently evaluating what went wrong and how we can mitigate future risk. We will resume normal operations once a safety investigation has been concluded.”

The Air Force’s fleet of B-2s is just 20 aircraft after limited production and a crash that destroyed one aircraft in 2008. Another B-2 crashed at Whiteman Air Force Base in September 2021, which also closed the runway. An Air Force investigation found problems with the hydraulic system and worn springs in the landing gear that caused the gear to collapse on touchdown. The plane skidded down the runway before resting in the grass, picking up at least $10 million in damage.

The aircraft involved in the 2021 incident has been undergoing extensive repair work, though the Air Force has not commented on the airworthiness.

The 509th Bomb Wing did not answer questions about whether the B-2 involved in the latest incident was salvageable or divulge any details on the extent of the damage. The spokeswoman said “recovery teams are working around the clock to minimize further disruptions” to Whiteman’s operations. Air Force Global Strike Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the stand-down.

“The incident is under investigation and further details will be released upon completion of the official investigation,” Del Vecchio said.

Bipartisan NDAA Merits President’s Quick Signature: AFA

Bipartisan NDAA Merits President’s Quick Signature: AFA

Dec. 16, 2022 | By Greg Hadley

As the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act awaits President Joe Biden’s signature to officially become law, Air & Space Forces Association leaders lauded the overwhelming bipartisan majorities that passed the bill in both the House and Senate, and urged the President to sign the bill swiftly.

A top official said Biden will consider the bill “as a whole,” suggesting he may be willing to overlook a provision that would undo the COVID-19 vaccine mandate now in place for all service members. 

“It’s gratifying to see strong bipartisan support for the Department of Defense,” said AFA Chairman of the Board Bernie Skoch. “AFA is particularly pleased that with this legislation Congress is increasing our nation’s investment in national defense, and in particular in our Air and Space Forces. We encourage President Biden to sign this bill into law and to continue improving, modernizing, and strengthening our armed forces in the year to come. Never has having a ready and capable military been more critical to our nation.” 

The NDAA, an annual defense policy bill, cleared the Senate on Dec. 15 by 83-11, after clearing the House 350-80. White House officials have declined to say whether Biden might veto the legislation over the provision to end the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. That requirement, put in place by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in September 2020, is generally credited with the military’s strong COVID-19 response, with some two million troops vaccinated. But it has also sparked lawsuits and controversy, as thousands of service members have been booted for refusing the shots. 

National Security Council spokesman John F. Kirby declined Dec. 16 to speculate on whether Biden might veto the legislation. If he does, it would be the first of his presidency.  

“Every single year the NDAA has things in it that we support, and it has things in it that we don’t support,” Kirby said, according to multiple media outlets. “The president will judge this NDAA as a whole, just as he has in the past. I’m not going to get ahead of the president.” 

But while Kirby said repealing the vaccine mandate would be a “mistake,” and not in the “best interest” of military readiness, he also said Biden understands the value of signing the NDAA so the Defense Department can function smoothly. 

“[Biden] also obviously believes that it’s important to fund our military,” Kirby said. “Getting an NDAA so that they can continue to allow the military to defend our national security interests around the world is obviously of prime importance to the president.” 

While the NDAA does not appropriate funds, it does authorize spending. If the president were to veto the legislation, Congress could modify it or override his veto, given the strong bipartisan support for the bill. Because Congress is already busy trying to pass an omnibus spending bill, and time is short before the Christmas recess, however, overriding a veto might still be difficult.

The NDAA includes hundreds of new policy directives, mandatory reviews, and required studies. These include several provisions AFA leaders advocated for in the past year. For example:  

  • For the Air Force, the bill would prohibit the retirement of any F-22 fighters through Sept. 30, 2027—the service had asked to retire 33 of its oldest Block 20 Raptors, saying they were too costly to maintain or upgrade. That request was met with fierce pushback from both the House and Senate Armed Services committees, and in a statement, AFA also called for the F-22 fleet to keep at least 184 aircraft, especially “as China ramps up production of its own fifth-generation J-20 fighter.” 
  • Additionally, the NDAA also would add five F-35A fighters to the Air Force’s request of 33, bringing the total 2023 buy to 38. That’s still 10 fewer than it bought in fiscal 2022 and 22 fewer than 2021, but it does represent an increase. Funding for those extra jets must be appropriated in a separate spending bill, however. 
  • For the Space Force, the NDAA would require the Air Force Secretary, in consultation with the Chief of Space Operations, to submit a report detailing the Space Force’s strategic objectives and a specific plan to achieve those objectives—AFA has pushed for the release of a comprehensive strategy for the new service. 

“AFA will continue to advocate for the strongest Air and Space Forces possible,” Skoch said. “We are pleased that Congress is taking steps to properly equip our Airmen and Guardians so they can do their jobs to the best of their abilities and return home safely to their families.” 

Leidos wins Hypersonic Project ‘Mayhem’ Deal, Worth up to $334M

Leidos wins Hypersonic Project ‘Mayhem’ Deal, Worth up to $334M

Dec. 16, 2022 | By Greg Hadley

The Air Force awarded a $334 million contract to Leidos for Project “Mayhem,” the secretive program to develop a hypersonic weapons and sensor platform, the Pentagon announced Dec. 16. 

The award comes about two years after the Air Force first began seeking concepts, and nine months after the Air Force Research Laboratory formally issued its solicitation.  

Mayhem seeks to develop an air-breathing hypersonic system larger than the hypersonic AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, and able to carry multiple payloads for both strike and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Mayhem is intended to build the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept, or HAWC, among others. 

The contract award announcement states Mayhem is focused on “delivering a larger class air-breathing hypersonic system capable of executing multiple missions with a standardized payload interface, providing a significant technological advancement and future capability.” 

The Air Force originally stated it would solicit concepts exclusively from Boeing, Lockheed Martin’s Skunkworks, and Raytheon, all companies with experience developing hypersonic technology. Leidos might be a surprise player, known primarily for information technology, cyber, and engineering capabilities, but having acquired Dynetics, which is designing the Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon program’s glide vehicle, it is now a major player in the field. Dynetics developed the GBU-69 Small Glide Munition as well as the GBU-43 MOAB.  Leidos beat out five competing offers to win the contract. 

In a press release, Leidos said it will team with Calspan, Draper, and Kratos, which together will “forge partnerships between the government, industry, and academia to deliver the cutting-edge research and development needed to design and prepare a production-ready technical data package to produce prototypes.” 

The press release also stated that Leidos will use digital and model-based systems engineering, following an Air Force focus that increasingly emphasizes digital engineering weapons development as a means of accelerating development and increasing precision in design.  

The first stage of the Mayhem contract is a $24 million award to conduct the system requirements review and conceptual design review, according to the Leidos press release.  

Roughly $8.7 million from the 2022 research, development, test, and evaluation budget will fund initial work; additional funds will come from subsequent budgets. Work on the contract is expected to conclude by Oct. 15, 2028, 70 months from now. 

Air Force Vice Chief: B-21 Not Just a Bomber, Will Mesh with JADC2, NGAD

Air Force Vice Chief: B-21 Not Just a Bomber, Will Mesh with JADC2, NGAD

Dec. 16, 2022 | By Tobias Naegele

The many capabilities embodied by the Air Force’s next-generation B-21 Raider extend beyond conventional measures of range, payload, and radar-penetrating stealth—they also include “other things that it can be a part of that could help leverage the agility and the speed that we need to stay ahead of the adversary,” Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said in a recent interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine.  

A former airlifter and test pilot who helped craft the vision that evolved into what is now known as joint all-domain command and control (JADC2), Allvin said the B-21’s unique characteristics will make it a crucial node in challenging the advanced capabilities of China as the nation’s pacing threat.

The full interview with Allvin will appear in the Air and Space Forces Magazine’s January-February edition.  

“The B-21 could be the delivery platform [for precision ordnance] or there could be other roles that it could play, whether it be sensor, or whether it be accompanied with different types of collaborative combat aircraft,” Allvin said. “It has the capability to do some very unique things, and those unique things may not fall into the traditional ‘Put bombs in the bomb bay, go as deep as you can, and drop bombs’ [playbook].” 

Allvin credited Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall for challenging the Air Force to see the B-21 “a little bit differently, not as just the next B-2, but as a part of a family of systems” that can generate a range of different effects and challenges to an adversary. 

“Taking the attributes that it has, and seeing where it can best operate and how it can best operate as part of another system,” changes the definition of what a stealth bomber can do, Allvin said—and how it might work in tandem with another next-generation Air Force development project, the Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems.  

“There’s no longer a single platform that just matters,” Allvin said. “We look at things in terms of fires and targets. And so how one combines to hit the right targets at the right time in the conflict … that doesn’t necessarily have to mean, this platform is going to go after all those assets, and this platform is going to [do something else]. There is a mixing of these that will enable you to leverage all the capabilities.” 

Operationalizing B-21, NGAD, and the Advanced Battle Management System represent three of the seven Operational Imperatives that Kendall has pressed for over the course of his tenure. ABMS represents the systems that will make JADC2 not just a concept, but a true operational capability—the glue that will take existing and emerging new platforms and combine them into a network that connects sensors and shooters across the globe.

“That’s where this ‘Operationalizing Advanced Battle Management System’ Operational Imperative has come into play. And I think, that’s where we’re now starting to take all of the ideas—having a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t—and starting to put the architecture together,” Allvin said.

“You think about kill chains—links in the chain—and now you hear, of course, ‘kill webs.’ What does that mean? It means I have more than one way to get to the destination.” 

That represents resilience in the information architecture as well as in offensive capability. “You have to focus on the targets—joint targets, mind you—in a way we really hadn’t imagined when you just had command and control by domain,” Allvin said.  

This involves breaking down conventional barriers between services and domains, he added. “The more we can understand that the changing character of war means if I lose, you lose, and if you win at my expense, we all lose,” Allvin said, the more cooperative the individual service cultures will become. “We haven’t really had that type of conversation in the past. … We need to get that into our psyche, and then we’ll understand.”  

Senate Passes 2023 NDAA. Will Biden Sign It?

Senate Passes 2023 NDAA. Will Biden Sign It?

Dec. 15, 2022 | By Greg Hadley

The Senate passed the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Dec. 15, sending the annual policy bill to President Joe Biden for his signature. But Biden could still opt to veto the bill over a controversial provision requiring the Pentagon to roll back its COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The vaccine requirement helped lead to the near universal vaccination of the force, with nearly 2 million troops receiving one of the approved vaccines. But it also became a political flashpoint, sparking legal battles and resulting in thousands of service members being booted for refusing the shots. 

Top Congressional Democrats agreed to the provision as part of a compromise NDAA unveiled Dec. 6, but the White House and Defense Department officials were not party to the deal, and have said it would be a “mistake” to drop the requirement. 

Vetoing the entire bill would be a gamble for the president. Both the House and the Senate passed the NDAA by large enough margins—350-80 and 83-11, respectively—that a veto could potentially be easily overridden.  

Hundreds of other policy decisions, report requirements, and directives are contained in the NDAA’s 4,408 pages. And while the bill does not appropriate funding—that is the job of the defense appropriations bill—it does authorize spending maximums and guidelines. 

For the Air Force in particular, the bill would allow for the divestment of some aircraft, like the A-10, KC-135, and E-8 JSTARS, but blocks or restricts others, including F-22, F-15, E-3 AWACS, and C-40 aircraft. 

For the Space Force, the bill would require the development of “requirements for the defense and resilience of the satellites” before entering into acquisition programs, as well as the public disclosure of the department’s strategy for protecting and defending satellites in orbit.   

For service members, the bill includes provisions that would extend Pentagon authorities to temporarily increase the Basic Allowance for Housing in areas where prices increase dramatically, require a broader study of how BAH is formulated, and authorize an evaluation by the Comptroller General on each service’s marketing and recruiting practices.

The 2023 NDAA includes a top line of $858 billion for national defense, including $816.7 billion for the Pentagon. That funding would need to be appropriated in a spending bill that is still under negotiations in Congress. Leaders there announced Dec. 13 that they had agreed to a “framework” for an omnibus spending bill that would fund the entire federal government, but details must still be worked out. 

In the meantime, the continuing resolution currently funding the government fiscal 2022 levels was set to expire after Dec. 16. The House passed another CR Dec. 14 that would last through Dec. 23, the end of next week, and the Senate agreed to it later Dec. 16.

 

Severe Weather Hits Near Nuclear Bomber Bases; No Damage Reported

Severe Weather Hits Near Nuclear Bomber Bases; No Damage Reported

Dec. 15, 2022 | By Chris Gordon

From a nearby tornado to heavy snow to a closed runway, bases hosting the Air Force’s nuclear bomber fleet has dealt with a number of headaches in the past week.

Air Force Global Strike Command’s fleet of nuclear-capable bombers, including the B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit, are spread out across the continental United States, operating from Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; Minot Air Force Base, N.D.; and Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

With those bombers forming the air leg of the U.S. military’s nuclear triad, the Airmen who operate them are constantly ready and trained to act with the utmost care, according to the Department of Defense, making America’s nuclear force resilient in the face of any attack.

“So let us always ensure that the most dangerous weapons ever produced by human science are managed with the greatest responsibility ever produced by human government,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said at the change of command ceremony for U.S. Strategic Command on Dec. 9.

But there are some things humans cannot control. Severe storms caused a tornado to touch down about 20 miles from Barksdale Air Force Base on Dec. 13. Another storm in North Dakota packed several inches of snow and ice onto Minot Air Force Base starting on Dec. 12. And the only runway at Whiteman Air Force Base remains closed as of Dec. 15, the result of a Dec. 10 incident in which a B-2 was forced to make an emergency landing.

Thus far, there has been seemingly no effect on essential operations, though.

A spokesperson for the 2nd Bomb Wing, which operates B-52s at Barksdale, told Air & Space Forces Magazine on Dec. 15 that no aircraft were moved due to the storm and no aircraft or facilities at Barksdale were damaged.

Minot Air Force Base did not immediately respond to a request for comment Dec. 15 when asked about the status of its flight operations, but on Facebook, the base told “care support” and “general support” staff not to report for duty on Dec. 14 or 15. Storm essential personnel—including the fire department, security forces, command post, medical facilities, snow control, and critical maintenance—and mission essential personnel are still being told to report to work.

The base remains under a blizzard warning issued by the National Weather Service that will expire Dec. 16—leaders are telling the public not to travel on roads on or near the base, but no damage has been reported.

A spokesperson for the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base did not have an update on when the base’s runway would reopen.

Severe weather has been a much more serious issue for America’s nuclear forces before. In 1952, two-thirds of the Air Force’s long-range strategic bombers of the period, B-36 Peacemakers, were damaged or destroyed when a tornado struck Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. The head of Stragetic Air Command Gen. Curtis Lemay ordered a large and urgent repair program called Project Fixit that got the almost all of the fleet back into service within a few weeks. Now, the Air Force often flies aircraft out of the path of oncoming severe weather, particularly when hurricanes are projected.

While Barksdale escaped without damage, the storms were nevertheless severe in the surrounding area. At least three people were killed in Louisiana, two in the tornado that touched down near Barksdale. Louisiana’s governor declared a state of emergency and the Louisiana National Guard said it is assisting in the disaster response.

Germany Formally Signs on for 35 New F-35s

Germany Formally Signs on for 35 New F-35s

Dec. 15, 2022 | By John A. Tirpak

Germany has signed the letter of acceptance that formalizes its planned purchase of 35 new-build F-35s, its ministry of defense announced Dec. 14. The first eight aircraft will be delivered in 2026.

The sale brings the number of countries that have either formally signed up for the F-35 or signaled an intent to do so to 17, including the U.S.

The F-35 deal includes weapons, engines, technical and logistics support, and training. It also includes “role-specific mission equipment,” which an F-35 Joint Program Office spokesperson explained is “alternate mission equipment—underwing pylons, bomb release units, missile launchers and weapons bay adapters necessary to employ F-35 weapons.” This gear comprises “capabilities procured by all countries and are not unique to Germany.”

Germany will likely purchase some weapons for the F-35 that that are not made by the U.S. but are or will be certified for the fighter, a Pentagon official said.

German defense minister Christine Lambrecht said the deal had been approved by the German parliament’s budget committee as part of a $13.85 billion package of military spending, which draws on a special $112 billion defense fund created after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

In announcing the moves, Lambrecht said the $112 billion fund “will probably not be enough to close the gaps that emerged over the past years because we neglected procurement.”

The F-35s are intended to modernize the Luftwaffe, which is flying vintage Tornado strike and electronic warfare aircraft from the 1980s and ’90s. The F-35 will also keep Germany capable of delivering U.S. tactical nuclear weapons stored on German soil. The Tornado is expected to retire by the end of the decade.

Germany had previously selected a mix of F/A-18E/F fighter and EA-18 Growler electronic warfare aircraft but then backed off, saying the F-35 offered better integration and networking with other NATO countries that are also buying the F-35.

In a statement shared by F-35 maker Lockheed Martin, Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, Program Executive Officer for the fighter, congratulated Germany on becoming “the ninth Foreign Military Sales country to join the program.”

“We look forward to working with them to deliver the F-35 Air System to meet their national defense requirements,” Schmidt added—the other eight countries are original partners who contributed to development of the F-35.

Germany will also buy some additional Eurofighter Typhoons to supplement its existing fleet. The F-35s will be used for air superiority and strike while the Typhoons will be fitted for electronic warfare and escort.

The F-35 buy will not derail a planned Future Combat Air System fighter Germany plans to develop with France and other partners, and introduce in the 2040s, the German MOD said.

The original F-35 partners include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the U.K., and the U.S. Turkey was also a developmental partner but was drummed out of the program over its insistence on buying Russian S-400 air defense systems, which the partners said would compromise the F-35’s stealth capabilities. Turkey has since begun a program to develop an indigenous fighter bearing a strong resemblance to the F-35.

Other FMS customers include Belgium, Finland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Poland and Singapore. Switzerland is in the process of defining its buy, and Spain is strongly rumored to be planning to acquire the F-35 as well.

Lockheed said that by the 2030s, “over 550 F-35s will work together from more than 10 European countries, including two full U.S. F-35 squadrons at RAF Lakenheath.” The company said the F-35 operates from 26 bases worldwide, and that there are “more than 875 F-35s in service today, with more than 1,845 pilots and 13,350 maintainers trained on the aircraft.”

Big BAH Boost Coming: Which Bases Get the Biggest Increase

Big BAH Boost Coming: Which Bases Get the Biggest Increase

Dec. 15, 2022 | By Greg Hadley

Housing allowances are finally catching up, as the Pentagon announced new Basic Allowance for Housing rates Dec. 14. On average, monthly payments will rise 12.1 percent starting Jan. 1. 

Increases vary by location. BAH is determined based on paygrade, location, and whether or not members have dependents. To find your rate, type your variables into DOD’s BAH calculator. 

The 2023 average increase is the largest in at least a decade, more than double last year’s 5.1 percent increase, until now the largest in that timespan. The jump is “reflective of the unique market conditions experienced across many locations nationwide over the past year,” DOD noted in a press release.  

But while some members will see increases of 20 percent or more, others may see no change or as little as a 1 percent increase in 2023. This is because housing cost increases varied wildly across the nation in the past year.

Overall, median home prices across the U.S. rose more than 10 percent in the past year. Inflation for housing costs, which includes rent and utilities, rose more than seven percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Rates will rise 20 percent or more in several dozen locales, including Patrick Space Force Base, Fla.; Dover Air Force Base, Del.; Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.; and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.  

Increases of 15 percent to 20 percent are in store for military members stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.; Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.; Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.; and Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. 

In all, among 300 military housing markets, 290 will see BAH increases of at least 1 percent increase 2023. Rates will decline in a few areas, including Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and Vance Air Force Base, Okla. Members who maintained their eligibility in those locations will continue to receive the same BAH, ensuring that those “who have made long-term commitments in the form of a lease or contract are not penalized,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

The Defense Department calculates BAH through annual surveys of roughly 300 rental markets across the country, determining the median price of rent and utilities for six different housing options in each of those markets. 

BAH is intended to cover 95 percent of housing costs. For 2023, that means troops out-of-pocket expenses for housing range from $82 to $184 per month.  

The BAH increases follow the Pentagon’s announcement that Basic Allowance for Subsistence, which pays for service members’ meals, will rise 11.2 percent in 2023—the largest year-over-year increase since 2002. 

Still, BAH increases lag the market. Housing prices surged over the past year, forcing the Pentagon to authorize temporary increases in October for markets where housing costs ballooned 20 percent or more during 2022. The same was necessary in 2021 as well. 

Further temporary increases may be necessary. The 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which should clear Congress in the coming days, includes a provision extending the emergency authority for temporary increases through fiscal 2024. 

Meanwhile, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass has called for a “holistic” review of military compensation, including the potential application of new data-driven algorithms that might replace annual surveys to more accurately calculate allowance rates. And if the NDAA passes, it will require the Pentagon to report on the “efficiency and accuracy of the current system used to calculate BAH,” and consider potential alternatives, including using data from local school districts; adjusting BAH more than once annually; and being more transparent about how rates are set.

New B-21 Test Aircraft Heraldry, Barely Visible at Rollout, Revealed

New B-21 Test Aircraft Heraldry, Barely Visible at Rollout, Revealed

Dec. 15, 2022 | By John A. Tirpak

The first B-21 bomber, which rolled out of Northrop Grumman’s facilities at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale Calif., on Dec. 2, bears three organizational emblems, barely visible on the aircraft’s surface behind its unusual cockpit windows—Air Force Materiel Command, Global Strike Command, and the 412th Test Wing.

The heraldry was present on aircraft No. 00001—also called T-1—at the event but was hard to see because of the low-visibility finish of the markings, the lighting effects ,and the distance of the aircraft from the audience. They could only be seen from the side of the B-21, while most of the attendees and all photographers were confined to a space directly in front of the aircraft. The Air Force disclosed the organizations in an email to Air & Space Forces Magazine on Dec. 15.

  • Air Force Materiel Command is responsible for overall test and sustainment of the new bomber, although development and management of the program thus far has been conducted by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office.
  • Global Strike Command will “own” and fly the B-21 when it enters operational service sometime in the next few years. The first B-21s will operate from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The B-21 is expected to be part of a two-bomber force (with the upgraded and re-engined B-52) when the B-1 and B-2 retire in the 2030s, and GSC expects to field a force of at least 100 B-21s.
  • The 412th Test Wing, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is the organization that conducts Air Force flight testing.
The emblem of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. U.S. Air Force image
The shield of Air Force Materiel Command. U.S. Air Force image
The emblem of Air Force Global Strike Command. U.S. Air Force image

The B-2 bomber similarly has heraldry applied aft of its cockpit—recent imagery from an exercise at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., the only location of the B-2, shows the emblems of AFGSC, the 509th Bomb Wing, and the 131st Bomb Wing in Missouri’s Air National Guard, all applied in muted black and gray. B-52 bombers, by contrast, often have colorful art and emblems of their squadrons painted near the cockpit.

Although apparently not featured on the B-21, the 420th Flight Test Squadron is the combined test force that will perform all B-21 testing. The CTF comprises the 420th; Detachment 5 of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC), and a team from Northrop Grumman. The 420th was reactivated Oct. 19, 2019, to prepare for B-21 test operations. The unit will oversee all air and ground testing of the bomber, and provide analysis of the results.

The B-21 at the rollout ceremony also had the “tailcode” ED applied to the main landing gear, denoting it as an Edwards Air Force Base aircraft. It was also marked with the serial number on the nose landing gear and the logo of Northrop Grumman flight test under the nose. No other markings could be discerned.

Aircraft T-1 was rolled out because the Air Force and Northrop will soon begin outside activities with the airplane to prepare it for its first flight, expected mid-2023. In the coming weeks the bomber will be outside of Plant 42 for engine and taxi tests, and more imagery is likely to become available when it is exposed to public view. The first flight of the aircraft will be “event based”—meaning USAF will fly the airplane only when all is ready, rather than on a planned date set in advance—but service officials have indicated they will alert the press when the flight is imminent.

The B-2 flew for the first time about nine months after its rollout. Program officials have said the B-21 should improve on that.