B-21 Raider & B-2 Spirit Takeoff

On 10 November 2023, the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider took off from Palmdale AF Plant 42. Bearing call sign RAIDER 01 with RAIDER 03 F-16D as chase, it flew to Edwards AFB after a short test flight. A few hours later, B-2A Spirit LEHI 23 departed for an FCF in the high desert. Very cool to see both stealth flying wings in the AV area where they are proudly made.

[erasmus_locke]

It's incredible how quiet the b21 is. First you can hear a car drive by and then the roaring after that is actually the F-16

[Real]

The flying wings never get old to see in the sky

[thabotshabalala]

B21 is the future no doubt, but the B2 for me still gives me goosebumps...

[mrbloodmuffins]

I like how as soon as the B-21 pitches up to take off at 0:21, you completely lose sight of the engine intakes. For the B-2 it takes until it is almost directly over the photographer at 1:50. Those kind of differences mean even more stealth.

[TexasAviationAndTrainGuy]

The B-21 looks so beautiful on her first flight!! 😍

[muzikizfun]

The easiest way to tell them apart is the rear edge. The B-2 has a saw tooth rear, and the B-21 has a single triangular shape.

[Glen.Danielsen]

When I was in the military, we did our weapons requalifying at Edwards AFB. As required, we posted two soldiers to warn of aircraft coming because the range was in the approach path of a runway. Well, a B-2 was doing low-level practice maneuvers involving high banking not far away. What an amazing experience being treated to our own B-2 airshow! Its bat-like form set against the blue sky took my breath away! Later, the aircraft came in to land passing immediately above us, and I was impressed how whisper quiet it was.

[Velticus]

I remember seeing a B2 for the first time. B21 is as beautiful, and you can really see how efficiently compact it is! Excellent video

[breakerbreaker]

Thanks a lot for this footage. These planes are amazing. Greetings from France ! 🇫🇷 🤙

[johnnytyler]

Literally the day before this first flight, in a totally random coincidence, I was watching a spotter video of B-2s taxiing and taking off in the UK from a few years ago. Because the video of the takeoff was filmed with the B-2 taking off straight into the camera (much like this vid), what really stood out to me was just how visible the air intakes were even at EXTREMELY steep angles. You basically have to be right underneath the B-2 (yes that's a slight exaggeration) for the air intakes to not be visible over the leading edge of the aircraft.

The difference in air intake visibility between the B-2 and this B-21 is MASSIVE. Don't get me wrong, the first thing we all noticed about the B-21 during the reveal ceremony was just how conformal the air intakes were. It was stunning to see just how low profile they are. But seeing this thing actually take off for the first time really shows just how incredibly well-hidden the air intakes really are. The intakes disappear almost immediately upon rotation. And that IS NOT an exaggeration. As soon as the B-21 pitches up, the intakes are hidden from view.

The difference in RCS between the B-2 and B-21 has to be huge based solely on that. And the B-2 was already the stealthiest aircraft in the sky...and has been for the last THREE DECADES! Everyone always says (correctly) that "stealth" doesn't mean that an aircraft is INVISIBLE to radar. But I bet you this B-21 is damn near totally invisible to radar. Between the completely hidden air intakes AND a far more modern, far more advanced RAM coating, I bet this thing is as close to totally invisible to radar as an aircraft could ever be.

[cloudk]

Goodness the flying wing design it just stunning to look at. Looking forward to seeing more, thanks for the footage!

[ADPeguero]

It's so new it still has the umbilical chord 🙂 Something about the B2 though that, to me, looks better.

[AITF]

I was in Lancaster when I heard the B-21 had taken off for its first flight. Only saw the B-2 sadly. Never thought I would be disappointed to see a B-2!

[mroctober]

B2. Not only a great plane, but a great vitamin as well!

[SATO_FDR]

Lovely look and sound, the YF-23 is proud!

[bobsurgranny]

Great catch there. Must say looks wise, looks a lot "cheaper" than the B-2.
Something trailed out the back and then followed at 1:03 what was that?

[UKAviationMovies]

Absolutely awesome catch. Looking forward to seeing them here in the UK in the coming year 👍

[Wesley_H]

Two magnificent birds. I’ll never forget the first time I saw a B-2 in person. The way it transformed from an unassuming line growing just above the horizon, to a dark and formidable triangle of doom as it turned.

[ctaviationvideos]

Wow, the B-21 has officially taken flight. Wonder if they already did all their taxi tests too

[paulmurray]

May be aged and due for replacement but, with that color and all those serrations, the B2 still looks more majestic and menacing.