US Air Force conducts weapons test on B-21 Raider

Nov 13 (Reuters) - The US Department of the Air Force said on Friday it conducted a weapons release test for its B-21 Raider stealth bomber last week, transitioning the next-generation aircraft from flight test into a functional weapons platform.

The Air Force had awarded the development contract for the B-21, the United States' next-generation stealth bomber, to Northrop Grumman NOC.N in 2015.

Here are more details:

• Northrop Grumman's partners on the B-21 program include Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems BAES.L and Boeing BA.N unit Spirit AeroSystems

• The B-21 Raider is designed to bypass dense, modern integrated air defense systems and deliver both conventional and nuclear munitions

• During the test, a B-21 aircraft flew from Edwards Air Force Base, California, and released a conventional weapon, proving that its digital models and open systems architecture worked as expected, the Department of the Air Force said

• "This weapons test proves the B-21 program is excelling," Air Force Chief of Staff Ken Wilsbach said

• The Air Force said the program is ahead of schedule, with the first operational aircraft expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in 2027