US Air Force B-21 Raider active service now planned for 2027
By Willie Bodenstein
28.02.2026
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The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman have reached an agreement whereby Northprop will increase production capacity of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber by 25%, thus speeding up delivery for the delivery of the first of the stealth bombers during February 2027.
The B-21 is part of the effort to modernize the nuclear triad of the United States, along with the LGM-35 Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile and Columbia-class submarine. The B-21 is expected to double the US nuclear-capable bomber fleet from 60 to 120.
A unknown number of the long range stealth strike bombers, named "Raider" after the Doolittle Raiders of World War II, have been completed. Raiders will initially complement the Rockwell B-1 Lancer and Northrop B-2 Spirit and will eventually replace them by 2040. It may possibly also replace Boeing B-52 Stratofortress that has been in service since the 1950s.
The first production model was unveiled in December 2022 while the Raider's first flight of took place on 10 November 2023. Two other B-21s has been in used extensively in ground testing. A second B-21 took flight a year later. The B-21 is designed with modular, open systems architecture to allow easy upgrades.
The B-21, while being smaller and lighter, is like its predecessor the B-2 a flying wing. Unlike previous USAF bombers, the B-21 is designed primarily for Indo-Pacific Command operations. It is to carry the AGM-181 LRSO strategic nuclear cruise missile, the B61 Mod 12 and Mod 13 strategic/tactical nuclear bombs, and conventional ordnance including the AGM-158 JASSM-ER cruise missiles.
Commenting on the agreement Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said in a media release. “The B-21 is foundational to our long-range strike capability and to credible deterrence,” “Accelerating production capacity now ensures we deliver operational capability to combatant commanders faster strengthening our ability to outpace, deter, and, if necessary, defeat emerging threats. This is disciplined execution at the speed the security environment demands.”
Gen. Dale R. White, director of Critical Major Weapon Systems and direct reporting portfolio manager to the deputy defence secretary, said in the release. “This decision reflects our confidence in the program's performance and the stability of the industrial base. By increasing production capacity now, we are responsibly accelerating delivery of a critical, combat-effective capability to the war fighter.”
In December 2022, the cost of the B-21 was estimated at $700 million per aircraft. At the time, Air Force officials estimated that they would spend at least $203 billion over 30 years to develop, purchase, and operate a fleet of at least 100 B-21s.
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