A viral video has captured Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider carrying out mid-air refuelling for the first time. The aircraft is the next-generation stealth bomber of the United States Air Force, designed for long-range global strike missions. This comes amid the ongoing Iran war.
Mid-air aircraft refuelling, also known as aerial refuelling, transfers fuel from a tanker aircraft to another aircraft while both are airborne. The process allows military aircraft to extend their range, remain in the air longer and carry heavier payloads during operations.
As per reports, the B-21 Raider uses a boom receptacle system controlled by fly-by-wire technology. It is compatible with tanker aircraft such as the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus and potential future stealth tanker programmes under the Next Generation Air-refueling System initiative.
The bomber carries around 110,000 to 120,000 pounds of fuel internally, roughly two-thirds of the capacity of the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, which holds about 167,000 pounds. A full refuelling top-off can take around 15 to 20 minutes, with fuel transferred at about 1,200 gallons per minute.
Historic moment: the B-21 Raider captured mid-air refueling for the first time ever.pic.twitter.com/9u8sASCZNt— Open Source Intel (@Osint613)March 10, 2026
The planned fleet of more than 100 B-21 bombers could require two to three times more tanker aircraft than the B-2 fleet. Another challenge is that non-stealth tankers such as the KC-46 could expose the bomber during missions in contested airspace, including operations around Iran.
The first flight-tested refuelling of the B-21 took place in 2025. The aircraft’s design prioritises fuel capacity over weapons bay size to improve endurance for long-range missions, as per reports.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
