The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is a cutting-edge, long-range stealth bomber developed for the United States Air Force under the Long-Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) program. Designed to replace the aging B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit fleets while complementing the B-52J, the B-21 is the first new American bomber introduced in over three decades. The aircraft is characterized as a dual-capable penetrating strike platform, meaning it is engineered to deliver both nuclear and conventional munitions within highly contested airspace.
Northrop Grumman was awarded the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract on October 27, 2015. The aircraft was later publicly unveiled in December 2022, and its first flight took place on November 10, 2023, flying from Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, to Edwards Air Force Base. Final assembly occurs at Northrop Grumman's Palmdale facility, supported by a distributed network of U.S. suppliers, including BAE Systems, Spirit AeroSystems, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, and Pratt & Whitney.
Technically, the B-21 is powered by Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines, though specific model designations and thrust ratings remain classified. The aircraft is designed for flexibility, featuring an open systems architecture and the capability for both manned and unmanned operations. While exact performance specifications are undisclosed, estimated dimensions include a 140-foot wingspan, a 55-foot length, and an 18-foot height, with a high-subsonic estimated speed and intercontinental range.
As of 2026, the B-21 is in low-rate production. While the U.S. Air Force has an objective inventory of at least 100 aircraft, current public data indicates at least six airframes are in production at Palmdale, with at least one delivered to the Air Force Materiel Command for testing at Edwards AFB. On February 23, 2026, the Department of the Air Force announced a $4.5 billion investment to increase production capacity by 25%. The first operational B-21s are scheduled to arrive at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, in 2027, with further planned basing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, and Dyess AFB, Texas.