US Air Force accelerates B-21 Raider production
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The US Air Force is advancing B-21 Raider production with a funding boost, aiming for over 100 stealth bombers amid growing strategic demands.
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The B-21 Raider stealth bomber is unveiled at Northrop Grumman on December 2, 2022, in Palmdale, California. (AP)
The US Air Force is preparing for the second flight of its B-21 Raider stealth bomber, according to General Thomas A. Bussiere, head of the US Air Force Global Strike Command.
Speaking to Air & Space Forces Magazine on Friday, Bussiere stated, "We should see the second developmental test bird fly shortly," adding that the Air Force has a clear understanding of the jet’s "capability, capacity, and cost to … increase the ramp rate."
The move reflects a broader effort to expedite the production of the next-generation stealth bomber, highlighting its strategic importance in an evolving global security landscape.
Gen. Bussiere attributed the accelerated pace of B-21 production to the growing necessity for long-range strike capabilities. While the number of B-21 bombers currently in production remains classified, reports estimate that production is advancing at a rate of approximately seven aircraft per year.
The US Air Force ultimately aims to field a fleet of more than 100 B-21 Raiders as part of its long-term strategic planning.
Stealth bomber to replace aging fleet
The B-21 Raider, developed by Northrop Grumman, is designed to replace the aging B-1 and B-2 bombers. As a state-of-the-art stealth bomber, it represents a critical upgrade in the US Air Force bomber fleet.
The first B-21 aircraft was unveiled on December 2, 2022, and conducted its inaugural flight in November 2023.
The aircraft is engineered to operate in highly contested environments, supporting both conventional and nuclear missions.
The fiscal year 2026 budget proposal includes over $10 billion for the B-21 program, forming a significant portion of the US nuclear triad budget. This financial commitment underlines the Pentagon’s prioritization of advancing the B-21 Raider as a core component of the country’s strategic deterrence capabilities.
