B-21 News
Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider Receives Aviation Week Grand Laureate Award
March 18, 2024
Northrop Grumman received the Aviation Week Grand Laureate Award in the defense category for its role as the prime contractor delivering the B-21 Raider to the United States Air Force. Aviation Week announced the Grand Laureate winners at its 66th Annual Laureate awards in Washington, D.C. on March 14, 2024.
What You Need to Know About Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider
November 10, 2023
When it comes to delivering America’s resolve, the Raider will provide the Air Force with long range, high survivability and mission payload flexibility. The B-21 will penetrate the toughest defenses for precision strikes anywhere in the world. Here is what you need to know about Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider as it continues flight test.
AFA Recap on B-21 Raider Program and Progress
September 18, 2023
At last week’s Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Air Force and DoD leadership discussed the B-21 program in terms of effective program management, production readiness and early integration of sustainment elements as foundational to the effective delivery of operational capability.
Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider Continues Progression to Flight Test
September 12, 2023
The U.S. Air Force announced today the B-21 Raider has commenced engine runs as part of its ground test program at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, California, facility.
Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force Introduce the B-21 Raider, the World’s First Sixth-Generation Aircraft
December 2, 2022
The B-21 joins the nuclear triad as a visible and flexible deterrent designed for the U.S. Air Force to meet its most complex missions.
Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force Introduce the B-21 Raider, the World’s First Sixth-Generation Aircraft
December 2, 2022
The B-21 joins the nuclear triad as a visible and flexible deterrent designed for the U.S. Air Force to meet its most complex missions.
10 Facts About Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider
November 29, 2022
The B-21 Raider will be unveiled Dec. 2 at the company’s site in Palmdale, Calif.
Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider Delivers Data Sharing and Cloud Firsts
September 21, 2022
Northrop Grumman, U.S. Air Force enter into industry-first data rights agreement and prove operations and sustainment data migration to the cloud
Northrop Grumman to Unveil the B-21 Raider
September 20, 2022
Northrop Grumman Corporation in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, will unveil the B-21 Raider during the first week of December at the company’s Palmdale, California facility.
B-21 Raider’s Path to Flight Readiness
May 25, 2022
Successful loads calibration test reaffirms Northrop Grumman’s confidence in its digital models
The B-21 Raider: Infused With Stealthy Lessons Learned For Maintenance And Support
October 20, 2021
Affordability, maintainability and sustainability are integrated into every design decision of the B-21 Raider.
Read more at Breaking Defense
Secretary of the Air Force Opens AFA Conference Confirming Five B-21 Test Aircraft in Flow
September 22, 2021
Read more about the latest B-21 news released at AFA's 2021 Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
The B-21 Raider: A Bomber That Is Both Low Observable And Easier to Maintain
August 3, 2021
Using advanced stealth materials and digital tools, the B-21 Raider will be more affordable, maintainable and sustainable.
Read more at Breaking Defense
New B-21 Raider Artist Rendering Released
July 6, 2021
A new artist rendering of the B-21 Raider was released by the U.S. Air Force along with a fact sheet.
Read more at AF.MIL
DevStar Software Development for B-21 Design, Build, Sustainment
June 30, 2021
The DevStar approach to software development enables the B-21 Raider to remain ahead of emerging threats today and tomorrow.
Read more at Breaking Defense
Air Force DevStar: Agile Software Development And Innovation For The B-21 Bomber
May 21, 2021
In partnership with the U.S. Air Force, Northrop Grumman is evolving the software development process, delivering speed and efficiency in development, and ensuring rapid upgradeability of platforms like the B-21 Raider once fielded.
The B-21 Raider: A Marvel Of Digital Development
May 05, 2021
Risk reduction is vital in the development of this new Air Force bomber. Northrop Grumman is driving risk out of the program with digital capabilities throughout design, build, prototype, and test.
Early Risk Reduction for the Bomber of the Future
April 6, 2021
In just over two years since completing Critical Design Review, Northrop Grumman has brought its digital design of the B-21 Raider to life, with two test aircraft in production today.
Air Force Announces Final EIS for the B-21 MOB 1 Beddown
March 20, 2021
The Air Force is publishing a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register that announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the B-21 Main Operating Base 1 Beddown at Dyess AFB, Texas or Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.
B-21 Prototype Environmental Protection Shelters construction, test underway
March 3, 2021
The B-21 Raider program continues to progress through the engineering and manufacturing development acquisition phase. One visible example of progress was the recent construction and installation of a temporary prototype Environmental Protection Shelter at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Northrop Grumman Marks Five Years of B-21 Progress with Two Aircraft in Flow
Feb. 22, 2021
In just over two years since completing Critical Design Review (CDR), Northrop Grumman has brought its digital design of the B-21 Raider to life, with two test aircraft in production today.
The Raider Comes Out of the Black
Feb. 19, 2021
The first B-21 stealth bomber will roll out of its California factory in early 2022 and make its first flight a few months later. The second, nonflying test model is also in assembly.
Read more at Air Force Magazine
Second B-21 Under Construction as Bomber Moves Toward First Flight
Jan. 15, 2021
Production of the second B-21 stealth bomber is underway at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale, Calif., while the first Raider is expected to roll out in early 2022 and fly in the middle of that year, according to Randall Walden, director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office.
Read more at Air Force Magazine
Air Force participates in B-21 Beddown Construction Industry Day
Jan. 11, 2021
The assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Energy, the Honorable John W. Henderson, provided keynote remarks at a virtual B-21 Industry Day, Jan. 11. The virtual event, hosted by the Rapid City Military Advisory Coalition, was held to increase industry awareness about potential construction opportunities that will support the beddown of the newest Air Force stealth bomber.
Range and Flexibility
Dec. 1, 2020
Today, the United States Air Force’s B-52H and B-2 bombers are the most flexible leg of the triad and are highly survivable once they are generated and ready to sortie from their air bases within minutes. Beginning in the mid-2020s, the next-generation B-21 “Raider” stealth bomber will join the inventory, eventually replacing the Air Force’s B-2s and conventional-only B-1B bombers.
Read more at Air Force Magazine
The Air Force Plans to Retrain Weapons System Officers to Be B-21 Bomber Pilots
Oct. 20, 2020
As the U.S. Air Force prepares to bring the next-generation stealth bomber into its inventory over the next two decades, it plans to slash the number of weapons system officers by as much as half to make room for more pilots, according to a top general.
B-21 and Fighters Prepare For Disruptive Software-Led Change
Sep. 10, 2020
While the rest of the [B-21’s] development systems are described broadly as progressing on schedule, the secretive program’s managers slip in specific details about the pace of software updates to the bomber’s systems integration laboratories.
8th AF Boss on Hypersonics, B-21, Long-Range Strike, and B-52 Re-Engining
Aug. 31, 2020
On the B-21, Weatherington said the first bomber, which is now under construction, will fly “no earlier than ’22,” which is slightly beyond a late 2021 estimate offered by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. “Seve” Wilson last year. Otherwise, though, he said the new secret bomber is “on track, on schedule,” and coming in at “a little less” than the predicted unit cost.
Read more at Air Force Magazine
B-21 bomber program survives pandemic disruptions
Aug. 13, 2020
Despite impacts from the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Air Force’s B-21 Raider program remains on track as Northrop Grumman continues production of the first B-21 bomber, the head of the service’s Rapid Capabilities Office said.
SecDef visits B-21 facilities in Florida
Aug. 3, 2020
Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark Esper visited the B-21 Raider design and development headquarters at Northrop Grumman, to witness the progress being made on the nation’s most cutting edge dual-capable stealth bomber.
Stand In, Standoff
July 1, 2020
Global long-range strike—the ability to attack targets anywhere, at any time—must be among our highest priorities. When paired with an effective campaign strategy aimed at vital targets on which an enemy’s military depends, long-range strike is one of the most effective tools available to America’s military commanders.
Read more at Air Force Magazine
America’s Bomber Force is Too Small and Getting Smaller
March 12, 2020
The United States should invest in its current long-range penetrating strike capabilities while awaiting the B-21 Raider according to a former Air Force senior leader.
Senior Leaders Visit B-21 Design, Development Headquarters
March 9, 2020
Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett and senior Air Force leaders visited Northrop Grumman's Melbourne, Fla. campus Feb. 28, 2020 to observe B-21 engineering and manufacturing developments.
Barrett Highlights Space, Modernization, Alliances, People as Pressing Priorities
Feb. 27, 2020
During her remarks at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium, Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett highlighted the service’s efforts to develop and employ new equipment including the B-21 Raider.
VCSAF Wilson Visits B-21 Manufacturing Facility in Palmdale, California
Feb. 6, 2020
Gen. Stephen Wilson, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, visited Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, Calif. facility Feb. 3 to see where the first B-21 Raider is under construction.
VCSAF Wilson Visits B-21, X-37B Facilities in Florida
Dec. 10, 2019
Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson recently toured Northrop Grumman's Manned Aircraft Center of Excellence and received an update on the progress made on B-21 Raider program.
Why the U.S. Needs to Invest More in Bombers
Nov. 20, 2019
As the United States works toward developing the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, the nation should continue to invest in its proven long-range strike capabilities according to Dave Deptula, Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
Air Force Leader Shares Details on B-21 Bomber
Oct. 24, 2019
During a recent Air Force Association breakfast, the Director and Program Executive Officer for the U.S. Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office touted the progress made on the B-21 Raider program.
Read more at National Defense Magazine
420th FLTS Reactivates to Support B-21 Raider Testing
Oct. 9, 2019
The reactivated 420th Flight Test Squadron will plan, test, analyze and report on all flight and ground testing of the B-21 Raider.
Acting SecAF Donovan Announces B-21 Manufacturing, Testing Locations
Sep. 16, 2019
At the Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Acting Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Donovan announced the manufacturing and testing locations for the B-21 Raider.
Donovan Visits B-21, X-37B Facilities, L3 Harris Technologies
July 22, 2019
Northrop Grumman’s Design and Development Headquarters in Florida hosted Acting Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Donovan on July 19, 2019.
U.S. Air Force Builds First B-21 Raider ‘Test' Stealth Bomber
July 9, 2019
During his remarks to the Mitchell Institute on June 26, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein said the service is monitoring the development of the B-21 Raider aircraft and software to support the aircraft’s first flight.
New Strategy Fuels Global Demand For More New Bombers
May 7, 2019
The United States continues to shape its future bomber force as Russia and China seek to add bomber aircraft to their inventories, ushering in a new era of long-range strategic aircraft.
Wilson, Goldfein Outline Air Force Progress, Need for Larger Force
April 2, 2019
In their testimony at two congressional hearings, U.S. Air Force senior leaders emphasized the need for a larger fleet that includes B-21 Raiders.
Air Force Announces Ellsworth AFB as First B-21 Base
March 27, 2019
The Air Force announced Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, has been selected as the preferred location for the first operational B-21 Raider bomber and the formal training unit, March 27.
B-21 Raider Program Holds Weapons System Critical Design Review
Dec. 10, 2018
The U.S. Air Force completed a critical design review for the B-21 Raider to ensure the service’s newest bomber has a stable and mature design as the program moves forward into manufacturing and flight test.
Air Force Announces Bases to Support B-21 Raider Mission
Nov. 16, 2018
Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Heather Wilson announced the support locations for the B-21 Raider.
You Have To See The Rest Of What May Be The Coolest Shot Of The B-2 Stealth Bomber Ever
Jul. 6, 2018
The War Zone takes a look at an image of the B-2 Spirit taken by Michael L. Abramson in 1999.
Read the article from The War Zone
Texas Legislators Write in Support of Dyess AFB as Principal Base for B-21
Aug. 17, 2018
Senators Jon Cornyn and Ted Cruz penned a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Heather Wilson expressing their support of Dyess Air Force Base, near Abilene, Texas, as B-21's principal base.
Read the story from Abilene Reporter-News
The U.S. Air Force's First Flying-Wing Jet Flew Way Back in 1949
May 22, 2018
Popular Mechanics examines how the YB-49 bomber laid the foundation for future flying-wing bombers, including the B-2 Spirit and the B-21 Raider.
Read the Popular Mechanics story
Air Force Selects Locations for B-21 Aircraft
May 2, 2018
The Air Force announced that the B-21 Raider will replace B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit aircraft at three existing bomber bases beginning in the mid-2020s.
Extending the Range of the Air Force With the B-21
Mar. 2, 2018
Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) emphasized how the B-21's role is critical to national security, especially with the Air Force's newly-released bomber vector report. Wittman said, “The Air Force understands that to effectively conduct an air campaign in the 21st century, the U.S. will need the capability only a long-range stealth bomber can provide. In other words, the U.S. needs the B-21 Raider as quickly as possible.”
“Number One [B-21 Characteristic] Needs to be Survivability” —David Deptula, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) USAF
Jan. 8, 2018
What one former combat commander and defense strategist thinks the B-21 Raider's capability and technology will bring to the nation.
Here's What The B-2's Arrival In Guam Means For North Korea, The Olympics And More
Jan. 11, 2018
The B-2 brings a very unique, relevant and feared set of capabilities to the region, but does its sudden presence mean war is just around the corner?
Interview With Gen. Robin Rand, Head of Air Force Global Strike Command
Nov. 14, 2017
Gen. Robin Rand gave an exclusive interview to National Defense during the 2017 Global Strike Command Innovation and Technology Symposium and offered his take on nuclear C3, GBSD, LRSO and the B-21 Raider.
Read the full interview in National Defense
Air Force Seeks More Survivable Bomber Fleet
Jul. 20, 2017
The Air Force has ambitious plans for modernizing the air leg of the nation's nuclear arsenal but questions remain as to whether enough funding will be available for the service to meet its goals.
Read the story in National Defense
To Libya and Back: Inside a Stealth Bomber Strike Against ISIS
Feb. 8, 2017
It was mid-January and the United States ended combat in Sirte a month earlier. Now ISIS fighters are regrouping in a familiar place when they feel safe from U.S. intervention. They are mistaken.
Read The Popular Mechanics story
Long-Range Strike: ‘More Potent,' More Survivable & Cheaper
Jan. 31, 2017
On January 19, the Air Force struck terrorist targets in Libya using B-2 stealth bombers. This was not the first strike in the country. A mix of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy fighters conducted strikes there 30 years ago in response to terrorist acts in Europe. Comparisons between the two attacks illustrate the value of the unique combination of range, precision, large payload and stealth within a single aircraft.
Read the story in Breaking Defense
Why the B-2 Stealth Bomber Was Used to Strike ISIS Camps in Libya
Jan. 19, 2017
America's most valuable stealth combat aircraft might have seemed like an odd choice to bomb a target whose air defenses were neutered in 2011. It wasn't.
Jack Northrop and the Flying Wing
Dec. 21, 2016
In the 1940s, Jack Northrop generated great excitement with his amazing “Flying Wing,” which flew like an airplane but didn’t look like one, at least not in the traditional sense.
Read more at Air Force Magazine
44 Hours
Nov. 21, 2016
The campaign began with strikes from B-2 bombers of the 509th Bomb Wing, flying directly from their home base at Whiteman AFB, Mo. These missions, some lasting in excess of 70 hours, were the longest combat bombing missions in history.
Read more at Air Force Magazine
New B-21 Bomber Named ‘Raider’: U.S. Air Force
Sept. 19, 2016
Northrop Grumman Corp's B-21 long-range bomber will be called “Raider,” U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah James said on Sept. 19.
The Air Force’s Next Long-Range Bomber Has a Name: The Raider
Sept. 19, 2016
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, who revealed the B-21 designation for the winning Long Range Strike Bomber design from Northrop Grumman in February, announced the name at the Air Force Association's conference in National Harbor, Maryland.
New CSAF Goldfein’s Suggested Top 5 Priorities
June 29, 2016
American Enterprise Institute's Mackenzie Eaglen, resident fellow at the Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies and Breaking Defense Board of Contributors member, outlines suggested “Top 5” priorities for the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein.
Air Force Unveils New B-21 Bomber
Feb. 26, 2016
The U.S. Air Force secretary unveiled the first official rendering of the new Long-Range Strike Bomber and revealed its official designation: the B-21.