Official U.S. Air Force Photo of the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider Undergoing Refueling Testing

On April 14, 2026, the U.S. Air Force publicly acknowledged that the B-21 Raider has recently conducted aerial refueling from a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker as part of its ongoing test and evaluation program, jointly conducted with Northrop Grumman, at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

On March 18 & 19, 2026, photographer Jared M. Hamilton photographed these tests  from the ground giving us a good look at the B-21's underside and size in comparison to the KC-135 it was conducting refueling tests with.

Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider Undergoing Refueling Tests with a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in March 2026 (Photo Credit: Jared M. Hamilton)

The service released two photographs of the first prototype (AF 0001), which is nicknamed "Cerberus". The photos were taken during the testing activity, including one that provides, for the first time, a view of the bomber’s upper surface and a better look at its distinctive air intakes and the dorsal aerial refueling receptacle. The latter appears to be different from the rotating one of the B-2 Spirit, as it features two-piece clamshell doors arrangement. The upper surface photo also gives us the best glimpse to date of the B-21's engine inlets and a bit of the engine outlets, which have been especially shrouded in secrecy. They do not appear to use exhaust troughs like the B-2 Spirit. The Cockpit's unusually shaped windows are quite prominent as well. Sensors can be seen in front of the cockpit windows. The auxiliary air intakes, used during takeoff, can be seen in the closed position. The cockpit ejection panels can be seen at the top of the cockpit as well. The side-view photo show just how short the B-21's fuselage is.

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