The Department of the Air Force has signed an agreement with Northrop Grumman to expand production of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber aircraft by 25 percent annually.
The agreement will apply $4.5 billion in funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill, DAF said Monday.
“The strong performance of the B-21 program has our Northrop Grumman and Air Force team ready to accelerate production of this game-changing capability for our nation,” Kathy Warden, chair, president and CEO of Northrop Grumman and a 10-time Wash100 winner, stated in a company press release. “Northrop Grumman has invested more than $5 billion in digital engineering and manufacturing infrastructure, and we are ready to produce B-21 faster.”
DAF expects the first B-21 to arrive at the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota by 2027.
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What Is the B-21 Raider?
The B-21 Raider is a sixth-generation bomber designed to bypass air defenses and operate in contested environments.
Designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, the aircraft can strike targets anywhere in the world. Its open architecture allows for continuous upgrades, enabling the platform to adapt to evolving threats while sustaining readiness and strategic deterrence.
Troy Meink, secretary of the Air Force and a 2026 Wash100 Award recipient, described the B-21 as foundational the service’s long-range strike capability and strengthens 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,” he added.
How Many B-21s Will the Air Force Acquire?
The Air Force is targeting a fleet of 100 B-21 Raiders, The War Zone reported. However, in recent years, officials have expressed support for a larger fleet with up to 145 aircraft.
According to Aviation Week, Northrop has delivered two test aircraft to the Air Force. A third test aircraft is undergoing ground test, with two more currently in assembly.
