Thanks to Google Earth, we can finally put this one to bed. Since the B-21’s unveiling, people have made wild claims about its wingspan, specifically how tiny it is. This was never the case, as we have reported continuously since we first set eyes on it. Many AI-generated and enthusiast-made B-21 fact sheets have gone viral on social media showing wingspans under 130 feet, which only helped propel the nonsense. Now we can definitively say, give or take a few feet, the B-21 spans 152 feet and is 61 feet long. This puts it at about 12% smaller in terms of wingspan than the B-2, and about the same — 12% smaller — when it comes to length.
The image in question, taken of Edwards AFB and dated June 20, 2026, was recently uploaded to Google Earth. While we have seen satellite images of the B-21 going about its business before, this one was published in the public domain and had enough resolution, when paired with Google Earth’s excellent measurement tools, to get conclusive measurements.
B-21 taxiing between Edwards AFB’s parallel runways. (Google Earth)
Since we first saw the B-21 at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, during its unveiling, which TWZ attended, we put the top-end size at 155 feet wingspan-wise. That analysis has only narrowed over the years. I have had many emails, social media threads, and other engagements with folks claiming the aircraft was in the sub-130-foot wingspan range. Now we can finally put those battles behind us.
B-21 span nowhere that number. Bizarre people think this. Around 150-155 best estimate
So what does the size tell us? Nothing we don’t already know. The B-21 was always going to be smaller than the B-2. Our analysis from many years ago has stayed the same — the aircraft would be designed with a premium on range and affordability, as well as very low observability, over massive payload. This resulted in the aircraft you see today. It is smaller, but with design priorities that have shifted from its predecessor’s, and 12% smaller in pure dimensions makes total sense considering what Northrop Grumman was trying to achieve. Above all else, it points to the B-21 having an extreme unrefueled range, with improved aerodynamics for high-altitude cruise, more gas for its size, and two efficient engines instead of four.
Official photo of the B-21 in close pre-contact position behind Edwards AFB’s ‘Ghost’ test tanker. (USAF)
As for its length, the B-21 is nearly the same length as an F-15 fighter, which sounds bizarre for a large bomber. However, flying wings are visual transformers, looking like compact UFOs side-on and massive head-on or from the planform view.
What’s even more fascinating is that this thing is probably about the same length as an F-15 or close to it. Flying wings are transformers. From flying saucers side-on to massive flying wedges in the bank to huge boomerangs head on. pic.twitter.com/0UXOK0uVVN
As far as what else we can discern from the Google Earth image? Not much. We get a bit of a better view of the B-21’s exhaust configuration, but nothing is really revelatory there. The exhausts are deeply buried with large planar exhaust exit ‘ramps’ and have a large chevron trailing edge over the exhaust aperture itself. We have seen some pretty detailed images of this general arrangement from the rear that have been posted on social media. We do see the exhaust pathway as black in color, a feature that was edited out in the official top-down photo of the B-21 seen above, which was released in April, and this is something we mentioned at the time.
Regardless, at least we can say with total confidence that the B-21 is smaller than its progenitor, but not by all that much — about 12% to be more exact.
Netflix subscribers have been urged to check out a ‘heartbreaking’ true story that has been compared to Green Mile – but be warned as it’s said to be ‘one of the saddest films to ever exist’
Netflix viewers have been urged to check out the movie(Image: NETFLIX)
Netflix viewers have been left in floods of tears after watching a ‘hidden gem’ tucked away on the video streaming platform. Luke Eccleston, who reviews movies and television shows on social media, is urging Netflix subscribers to check out a ‘heartbreaking’ true story that’s perfect for Green Mile fans.
Luke, who posts under the username Eccy Reviews, said on TikTok: “I’m not saying this lightly, but you need to run to Netflix immediately because I’ve just discovered the biggest hidden gem. I’ll be very surprised if you’ve seen this film, and once you have, you will never, ever forget about it. The film that I’m talking about is called Miracle in Cell No 7. Now, if you’re someone who’s seen this film, you’ll know that this is one of the saddest films to ever exist.”
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‘This is one of the saddest films to ever exist’
Based on the the Korean movie Miracle in Cell No 7, it tells a story of love between a mentally-ill father who was wrongly accused of murder and his lovely six-year-old daughter.
Luke added: “It is actually based on a true story. This follows this man with special needs who has this younger daughter.
“After an incident where another little girl is killed, he is framed and sent to prison. He is sentenced to death. The people in the prison believe that he did the things.
“What he is accused of and the things they do to him is honestly awful. After time, they begin to realise who and what he is.
“The story, what comes out of it is genuinely incredible. I was shocked so many times watching this film. I was in so many tears.
“I’ve recommended this to so many friends, and every single person who’s watched it has said that they cried.”
‘I loved this movie, cried and cried’
Starring Aras Bulut Iynemli, Nisa Sofiya Aksongur, and Deniz Baysal, the movie has won 12 awards alongside its 13 nominations.
Commenting on Luke’s video, one user said: “Just put it on, I’ve got my tissues ready.”
Another user added: “Similar to Green Mile.”
A third user said: “I loved this movie, cried and cried. Amazing!”
EXCLUSIVE: Alexandra Burke gives her verdict on an X Factor comeback, life at home and why she’s more vigilant than ever about her health these days
15:19, 06 Oct 2026Updated 07:25, 10 Oct 2026
The X Factor winner gives her verdict on the show’s reported return(Image: Getty Images)
Eight years after The X Factor disappeared from our screens, it’s rumoured to be making a comeback with a whole new look and a fresh judging panel.
And one of the biggest stars to have come out of the prime-time talent show, Alexandra Burke, admits she’s “very excited” at the prospect of seeing it back on television.
Alexandra, who shot to fame in 2008 as the show’s fifth winner, says, “The X Factor gave me a career. I don’t know what format it’s going to come back in, what it’s going to look like, but we all know that Simon Cowell is a genius at what he does. So all I can do is sit here and wish him the best with it.”
The show hit pause in 2018 due to declining viewing figures, but although it has been criticised by some former contestants, Alexandra – who duetted with Beyoncé during her unforgettable final – has nothing but glowing memories.
“I’ve only ever had good things to say because I had a great experience,” she says. “It gave me a massive career and I’m still here working, 18 years later.”
As for whether she’s still in touch with Simon, she says, “I saw him in April at Britain’s Got Talent when I performed with the cast of The Chaka Khan Musical. It was lovely to see him, Amanda [Holden], Alesha [Dixon] and KSI. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone.”
She previously admitted that Cheryl [Tweedy], her mentor during her time on the show, didn’t reply to texts following her win, but there are clearly no hard feelings. “We met at a birthday party a couple of years ago and she was on great form,” Alexandra says. “She’s always really lovely when I see her, always so kind.”
So what advice would Alexandra give to any future contestants? “Stay true to who you are, because on these shows it’s easy to get wrapped up in it all,” she says. “And work hard – nothing’s ever handed to you. The hard work starts when the show ends.”
Alexandra’s own career has flourished since her time on the show. She took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, finishing in joint second place with her professional dance partner Gorka Márquez, and has gone on to become one of the West End’s most prolific leading ladies, with starring roles in The Bodyguard and Chicago.
Right now, she’s catching a breath after finishing an epic run of I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical in London, playing the iconic singer herself. But laughing, the star – who has two young sons with her Irish fiancé, former professional footballer Darren Randolph – admits her home life alone is enough to keep her on her toes.
“It’s chaos, but it’s a house full of love,” she says. “We have six dogs as well, by the way. My boys are amazing. They’re two very different personalities, and full of energy.”
Stunned by how fast time is whizzing by, she tells us she’s trying her best to live in the moment. “Time just goes so quickly. I remember when my first son was born – now he’s four and in reception, I don’t know where those four years have gone,” she says. “I know that I’ve tried my best to juggle both kids, bringing them to work, and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Alexandra says she and Darren make a brilliant team. She has a soft spot for the Irish and dubs them “the friendliest people on the planet”. And if work didn’t keep her in London, she’d be tempted to move to the Emerald Isle.
“I love it there,” she says. “Darren goes back weekly. My boys have only been twice, but we’re planning more trips now they’re older.”
The fitness-loving couple, who have already ticked off two London Marathons together, are set to begin training for their third – and fitness clearly runs in the family as Alexandra’s eldest, at just four years old, comes to the gym with her, lifting his own little weights.
She says having children has reminded her that life is for living. “I look at them and think, ‘Gosh, I need to relax a bit sometimes.’ They have such a zest for life.”
Sadly, she lost her own mum, Melissa Bell, who was the lead singer of London band Soul II Soul, in 2017 from kidney failure, caused by complications from diabetes. “It’s such a hard thing to go through, but I have a brilliant network around me,” she says. “And Mum’s always there, you know. I feel her around me all the time.”
Alexandra has no doubt Melissa would have been a doting grandma. “Oh, 100%. She’d have taken the kids from me daily, and said, ‘Just go to work.’ She did that with my nieces and nephews.”
Almost 10 years on, she says the grief still comes in waves, but she has learned to live with it. “It’s the price we pay for love, isn’t it?” she says softly.
Looking to the future, Alexandra has plenty to be thankful for. As well as her family, she’s back in the studio recording new music, which she hopes to release next year. And she’s just landed an exciting film role – for now, a top secret.
She won Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series at the National Film Awards last year, for playing teacher Helen Jones in the Paramount+ crime series Curfew, but while she wants to get stuck into more TV work, music will always be her “first love”.
The star recently appeared on a special edition of Katherine Ryan’s podcast What’s My Age Again?, in conjunction with tombola and Breast Cancer Now, to get women talking about their breasts more. Despite the topic, she had a hoot with the comedian.
“She’s a gem; she’s so funny,” says Alexandra. “The conversation was really warm. It was actually comfortable for me to have, simply because it just meant a lot.”
Alexandra, who lost her beloved aunt Jean to breast cancer in 2009 and had her own scare some years back, is keen to help change the narrative. As tombola’s research reveals, 66% of women have never asked a friend if she’s checked her breasts, though 58% know someone who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“That hit home for me. I asked myself, ‘When was the last time I asked my girlfriends, my sister or my aunties if they have checked their breasts?’ Why don’t we do that? It needs to become a normal thing, not a taboo question. Who knows, just a quick call asking your friend to check themselves could save their lives.”
Staying healthy has never been more important for Alexandra, now she has two adorable little boys to think of. “I was mindful of it when I lost my mum, but even more so since becoming a mum myself,” she says. “You’re nothing without your health.”
