Stealth Bomber Manufacturing Capacity To Increase By 25 Percent
The US Air Force and Northrop Grumman have finalized an agreement to accelerate production of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, utilizing $4.5 billion in congressionally authorized funding to expand annual manufacturing capacity by about 25%. The B-21 is designed to operate in highly contested environments and is intended to replace parts of the aging B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit fleets. The production acceleration comes as the B-21 flight test effort continues at Edwards Air Force Base, with the first operational B-21 expected in 2027. This development was first reported by AeroTime.