Operational pilot flies B-21 as top general pushes urgency

The B-21 Raider program has achieved a new milestone by combining developmental test (DT) and operational test (OT) flights into a single phase, with both a developmental and an operational test pilot flying together in the cockpit. Traditionally, DT and OT are conducted sequentially—first verifying technical specs and safety, then later assessing combat effectiveness. By merging the two, the program eliminates the gap between proving the aircraft works and proving it's combat-ready, potentially accelerating the bomber's path to operational deployment. 

https://www.aerotechnews.com/blog/2026/07/21/operational-pilot-flies-b-21-as-top-general-pushes-urgency/