Capt. Russell F. Mathers and crew set three recognized class closed course speed records at Edwards AFB, Calif. The Barksdale AFB, La.-based crew flies their B-52H to a speed of 549.45 mph over the 6,200-mile course. The flight lasts 11 hours, 23 minutes.
In a nighttime ceremony contrived to continue concealment of many of its features, the new B-21 bomber rolled out of Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, Calif. plant Dec. 2. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the aircraft's advanced technology represents "deterrence, the American way."