This chine also marks a departure from the B-2, which has a more classic wing-like chord shape in cross section. When compared with the artist’s rendering released in January, the B-21 seems to have a greatly pronounced chine, or flattened leading edge, which then tapers into the blended-wing fuselage. The underside of the aircraft seems to be deeper than the B-2, although details are obscured. The nose of the aircraft confirms a more pronounced “Beak” or “Hawk’s bill” than on the B-2 Spirit, which the B-21 generally resembles. Just aft of the side window is the Global Strike Command badge and stenciling for ground rescue instructions. That departs from earlier views which showed B-2-style windows.
The new picture shows a triangular, curved main forward cockpit window and a wide, arcing side window with no apparent interior framing. The prior official illustrations were released in January 2021 and in February 2016. The Air Force identified it as an “artist’s interpretation.” It shows the aircraft taking off from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where it will be flight tested beginning early next year. The new B-21 Raider image was published July 6 along with a new fact sheet. But the air intakes, which have been redesigned, are obscured. The image, the third released so far, offers a new oblique view of the aircraft from below its port side, showing a deeper keel and wider weapons bay than that of the B-2 bomber it will succeed. The Air Force’s newest rendering of the secret B-21 bomber shows an exotic layout of cockpit windows.
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