A mysterious aircraft spotted flying over Kansas has fueled speculation that it may have been a rare sighting of the B-21 Raider, America's new, top-secret stealth bomber. The video, taken near McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, shows a large, gray aircraft with a silhouette resembling a stealth bomber.
While the aircraft's identity remains unconfirmed, its proximity to the Air Force base has led many observers to believe it was a test flight for the elusive B-21 Raider. This advanced aircraft is described by the Air Force as a "nuclear-capable, penetrating strike stealth bomber" with an estimated per-unit cost of $692 million.
Some reports suggest the aircraft's reflection in a window visible in the footage aligns with known characteristics of the B-21 Raider. However, other theories propose the sighted aircraft could be the RQ-170 or RQ-180 drone, neither of which has been officially acknowledged by the government. Additionally, the shape has been compared to the nearly 30-year-old B-2 bomber, which occasionally refuels at McConnell Air Force Base.
The B-21 Raider, built by Northrop Grumman, is the first new long-range bomber for the U.S. Air Force since the B-2. Its flight tests have previously been reported at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The aircraft, named in honor of the Doolittle Raiders of World War II, was unveiled to the public in 2022. It is considered the world's first sixth-generation aircraft.
Details regarding the B-21's operational schedule and full capabilities are largely classified. The Air Force anticipates the stealth bomber will enter service within the next decade and aims to acquire at least 100 B-21s to complement its fleet of 76 modernized B-52 Stratofortress aircraft.