The recent test is one of the three main conditions that an aircraft must pass during the ground test phase as it approaches its first flight. The load calibration test aimed at calibrating the instruments before flight and verifying the integrity of the structure and gave positive and stable results.
During the load tests, the B-21 was subjected to various loads to ensure that the aircraft could continue on its way to flight readiness when it left the production line. Thus, the B-21 bomber can go from testing to production with minimal delay.
The ground test phase will also include launching the aircraft, testing its subsystems and coating and painting. In the next stage, the team will run in the engines, as well as tests for driving at low and high speeds, and then go on the first flight.
The B-21 program, launched in 2014, aims to replace the existing Rockwell B-1 Lancer, Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit and Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers. During the design, production and development phases, the company emphasized its risk reduction and production readiness efforts as one of the many priorities of the B-21 program.