Have you seen it? B-21 Raider stealth bomber takes to the skies over the High Desert

The United States' latest stealth aircraft and nuclear deterrent has taken to the skies over the High Desert for flight testing, the Air Force confirmed this week.

The B-21 Raider intercontinental strategic stealth bomber has begun flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base, military officials said Wednesday.

The cutting-edge aircraft "continues to make progress toward becoming the backbone of the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet," according to an Air Force statement. The program remained on schedule to begin expected service in the mid-2020s, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Andrew Hunter told the the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 8.

"We are in the flight test program, the flight test program is proceeding well," he said. "It is doing what flight test programs are designed to do, which is helping us learn about the unique characteristics of this platform, but in a very, very effective way."

The B-21 manufactured by Northrop Grumman, is intended to incrementally replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers.

"(It) will play a major role supporting national security objectives and assuring U.S. allies and partners across the globe," according to the Air Force statement. "It is designed with an open systems architecture, enabling rapid insertion of mature technologies, and allowing the aircraft to remain effective as threats evolve over time."

More: US Air Force releases first in-flight photos of B-21 Raider, newest nuclear stealth bomber

The aircraft was firs revealed to the public in December of 2022.

Once operational, the first B-21s are will be stationed in South Dakota, followed by Missouri and Texas, officials said.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Heads up: B-21 Raider takes to the skies over the High Desert