Washington, DC, January 28 - The B-21 Raider stealth bomber, developed by Northrop Grumman for the United States Air Force, represents a major advancement in long-range strike capabilities and strategic deterrence. Unveiled in 2022 and achieving its first flight in November 2023, this sixth-generation flying-wing aircraft is designed to penetrate advanced air defenses while delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. Unlike its predecessor, the B-2 Spirit, the B-21 incorporates open-systems architecture for rapid upgrades, improved maintainability, and reduced lifecycle costs, making it a cornerstone of the Air Force's future bomber fleet alongside the modernized B-52.
Progress on the program has exceeded expectations, with flight testing advancing steadily at Edwards Air Force Base. The initial test aircraft has conducted regular sorties to validate performance, avionics, and structural integrity, while a second production-representative B-21 joined the campaign in 2025, enabling expanded evaluation of mission systems and weapons integration. Additional airframes support ground testing, and the approach of building test vehicles to near-operational standards accelerates the transition to full capability. Low-rate initial production continues, supported by significant fiscal year 2026 investments that nearly double prior funding to ramp up manufacturing at facilities in Palmdale, California.
The U.S. Air Force plans to deliver the first operational B-21 Raiders to Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, the designated initial main operating base and formal training unit, with infrastructure projects commencing in fiscal 2026 to prepare for their arrival. Follow-on basing will occur at Whiteman and Dyess Air Force Bases. While initial operational capability is targeted for around 2027, recent reports indicate that test aircraft are so close to production configuration that limited combat-ready examples could be available as early as 2026 if urgent requirements emerge, underscoring the program's disciplined execution and on-schedule trajectory.
As the B-21 Raider integrates into the force, it will enhance America's ability to project power globally in contested environments. With at least 100 aircraft planned and production scaling, this stealth bomber ensures long-term strategic superiority, replacing aging platforms and reinforcing the nuclear triad's air leg through unmatched survivability and versatility.