A rare flight test involving the U.S. Air Force’s new B-21 Raider bomber and a KC-135 Stratotanker tanker aircraft was observed over Edwards Air Force Base, California, on March 10, drawing attention from aviation enthusiasts and analysts.
Images circulating on social media show the stealth bomber flying in close formation with the KC-135, accompanied by an F-16 chase aircraft. The sighting quickly fueled speculation that the B-21 had begun aerial refueling trials.
However, an Air Force spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine that the flight was conducted as a close-proximity test, meaning the bomber did not actually connect with the tanker’s refueling boom.
“We can confirm that a B-21 Raider completed a test event involving a close-proximity flight with a KC-135 Stratotanker,” the spokesperson said. “This flight is part of the ongoing, rigorous test campaign to validate the B-21’s capabilities and operational readiness.”
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Such flights are a common step before full aerial refueling operations. Flying two large aircraft in tight formation requires careful evaluation of aerodynamic effects, wake turbulence, and handling characteristics before the boom contact phase can begin.
— T. Ace (@minor_triad) March 10, 2026
The Air Force declined to provide additional details about the test.
“To maintain enhanced security measures, we will not provide further details on specific test points. The B-21 program remains on track to deliver a survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capability to the U.S. Air Force,” the spokesperson added.
The KC-135 Stratotanker first entered service in 1957 and remains a cornerstone of U.S. aerial refueling capability. The fleet is expected to remain in operation into the 2050s—giving the aircraft a service life approaching a century.
Meanwhile, the B-21 Raider continues its flight-test campaign at Edwards. The first aircraft began flying in early 2024, and a second joined the program in September 2025 to support expanded testing of mission systems and weapons integration.
The Air Force expects the first operational B-21 to be delivered to a frontline base in 2027. It is not clear which test aircraft participated in the March 10 flight with the KC-135
