Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian: The United States joined the aggression alongside the Israeli entity after it failed to achieve its objectives
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian: Iran is ready to enter negotiations to secure the Iranian people's rights
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call with Malaysian PM: Iran will not violate the ceasefire as long as the Israeli entity abides by it
IRGC: In last night’s operation, we gave the Israeli entity a historic lesson it will never forget.
IRGC: The Israeli entity helplessly pleaded with its American partners for a ceasefire.
IRGC: In response to this blatant crime, IRGC, in 22nd wave of Operation True Promise 3, destroyed Israeli military centers by launching 14 missiles across various parts of the Israeli entity.
IRGC: Desperate, helpless, and frustrated Israeli entity, disheartened by heroic defense of the Iranian people, carried out a brutal attack that resulted in the martyrdom of several citizens.
IRGC: 22nd wave of Operation True Promise 3 was historic, meaningful lesson for Israeli enemy.
US President Donald Trump says both "Israel" and Iran violated ceasefire: Not happy with "Israel", not happy with Iran either, but really unhappy with "Israel".
Khatam al-Anbia HQ: Armed forces had previously announced they would not leave any attack without response; the entity will pay a heavy price.

US B-21 Bomber Expected $203 Billion Cost into the 2050s

  • By Al Mayadeen net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 18 Nov 2021 00:05
3 Min Read

The US Air Force's next-generation B-21 bomber program will cost taxpayers at least $203 billion to develop, buy, and operate 100 aircraft over 30 years.

  • x
  • B-21 stealth bomber (Source: Northrop Grumman)
    B-21 stealth bomber (Source: Northrop Grumman)

According to recent service estimates, the next-generation B-21 stealth bomber program would cost taxpayers at least $203 billion to develop, purchase, and operate 100 aircraft over the next 30 years.

The figure is the most up-to-date estimate for Northrop Grumman Corporation's highly classified program, which it won in 2015. It's also an attempt by the Air Force to follow through on a promise to help lawmakers avoid 'sticker shock' by disclosing more cost data as the stealth aircraft progresses through development.

According to Bloomberg News, the total cost, in fiscal year 2019 dollars, comprises $25.1 billion for development, $64 billion for production, and $114 billion for maintaining and operating a fleet of 100 bombers over a 30-year period.

These costs are part of a massive "bow wave" of spending facing the US military, and consequently, US taxpayers, as the Pentagon seeks to upgrade the country's land-sea-air nuclear triad. Weapons systems such as new Ford-class aircraft carriers, Columbia-class submarines, and nearly 2,500 F-35 fighter jets for the Air Force, Navy, and Marines are being financed by the US following that aim.

Related News

US B-52 bombers fly over ME countries in clear saber rattling

MiG-31 escorts two US bombers near border, averting airspace breach

The service had previously disclosed B-21 research and manufacturing expenses, but not the program's 30-year operations and support expenditures, which typically account for up to 70% of a program's total life-cycle cost.

The bomber program is still in the engineering and production development stage, according to Air Force acting acquisition chief Darlene Costello, adding that the program "remains on track to the government acquisition program baseline for cost, schedule, and performance."

"You need to take your time and effort during the design phase to try to design for lower sustainment cost," Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in an interview last week. Kendall insisted on the need to pay attention to costs to get "a better product out."

Kendall stated in September that five B-21 bombers were in the works. “It’s not a cheap airplane. It’s an important capability that we need and we will budget what we need to sustain the fleet," the Air Force Secretary said.

Because of a past consulting arrangement with Northrop Grumman, Kendall is precluded from having major engagement in the program even as Air Force secretary.

According to the service, the B-21's average procurement price per unit, the most typical metric of how much it costs to manufacture a plane, is within the $550 million per unit objective set in fiscal 2010. The equivalent in 2019 dollars, adjusted for inflation, is nearly $639 million.

  • US Air Force
  • US
  • Northrop Grumman
  • B-21
  • US bomber aircraft

Most Read

Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

  • Palestine
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, right, speaks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during their meeting in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP)
Politics

Qatar confirms US request to mediate Iran-'Israel' ceasefire

A Palestinian girl waits to collect donated food at a food distribution kitchen in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Politics

Weaponization of food in Gaza constitutes war crime: UN

US President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Pool via AP)
Politics

Trump’s surprise ceasefire shakes US officials and allies: NYT

US strikes deliberately avoided Iran’s Isfahan reactors: Bloomberg
Politics

US strikes deliberately avoided Iran’s Isfahan reactors: Bloomberg

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS