New $750m B-21 Raider shown in different lighting to keep coating a secret from ... trends now

The US Air Force appear to have gone to great lengths to hide the true color of their new stealth bomber, displaying the advanced military aircraft in a range of lighting conditions, amid growing threats from China and Russia.

Reports of the Friday event, describe the B-21 Raider to be a 'very light gray in color' which experts say is 'critical for its low observable capabilities' and 'its likely use during the day.'

However, images and footage of the aircraft, show the futuristic stealth bomber appearing to be different colors inside of a facility in which it has been displayed.

Images and footage from an event, which marked the first time in more than 30 years a new US bomber had been unveiled publicly, also show the futuristic bomber silhouetted and drenched in blue lights.

This theatrical lighting display has made it difficult to determine the true shade of the 'hard-to-see coating' which the Air Force have said will be used to make 'complicated threats' to China and Russia.

Deborah Lee James, the Air Force secretary when the Raider contract was announced in 2015, said they 'need a new bomber for the 21st Century.'

'We needed a new bomber for the 21st Century that would allow us to take on much more complicated threats, like the threats that we fear we would one day face from China, Russia,' she said.

'The B-21 is more survivable and can take on these much more difficult threats.'

The futuristic aircraft is the first to be revealed since the B-2 Spirit was presented in 1988. While the US originally planned to have a fleet of 132 B-2s, just 21 were ultimately purchased.

A release of the new bomber comes amid heightened tensions between the US and both China and Russia.

Just days ago, the Pentagon released its annual report on China, which said the country has doubled its number of nuclear warheads in a fraction of the time the US expected it to.

'What we've seen really in the past couple of years is this accelerated expansion,' a senior defense official said to CNN.

The reports said that China is hoping to use its burgeoning military as one of its tools to create an international system that favors its world view.

This poses the 'most consequential and systemic challenge to US national security,' according to the report.

The larger nuclear capability is a far cry from what China used to call a 'lean and efficient' nuclear deterrent.

Beijing's investment in its nuclear triad, sea, land and air-based nuclear launch options, is cause for concern in Washington.

'We see, I think, a set of capabilities taking shape and new numbers in terms of what they're looking to pursue that raise some questions about what their intent will be in the longer term,' the senior defense official continued.

In 2021, China conducted 135 ballistic missile tests according to the report, more than the rest of the world combined, excluding ballistic missiles used in the war in Ukraine.

The Chinese military, formally known as the People's Liberation Army, is also said to be developing space and counterspace weapons, viewing the advanced technology to deter outside intervention in a regional military conflict.

The B-21 Raider stealth bomber, also referred to as T1 or aircraft number 001, is undergoing ground testing and set to make its first flight sometime next year.

Meanwhile Russia, on Friday said they would be 'open to negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine' as long as the West agree to a laundry list of demands.

'The president of the Russian Federation [Vladimir Putin] has always been, and remains open to negotiations in order to ensure our interests,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The comments were in response to comments made Thursday by President Joe Biden, who said he would talk to President Vladimir Putin, but only in consultation with NATO allies.

Biden and Putin have not spoken since Russia invaded Ukraine nine months ago, and Peskov's comments were the second time in two days that the Kremlin signaled they would be open to resuming talks with Washington.

However, Rebekah Koffler, a Russia expert and former DIA intelligence officer for Russian Doctrine & Strategy, told Fox News to 'Make no mistake, Putin is not caving.'

'This is likely a distraction,' she added, pointing out that Putin was also in talks with Western nations, including the U.S., as he was preparing to invade Ukraine in February.

'He was engaging them in negotiations, although he knew that Russia and U.S. positions were irreconcilable,' she explained.

'Putin still wants to settle but on Russia's terms because he feels he is in a strong position and has negotiating leverage.'

The stealth aspect of the B-21 Raider is touted as its main asset against Russian and Chinese forces.