U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff talks about the replacement for the famous B-2 bomber, the B-21.

• Purpose and Role:
  • Designed as a long-range, highly survivable, penetrating strike stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions.
  • Intended to replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit by 2040, and potentially the B-52 Stratofortress later.
  • Will form the backbone of the future U.S. Air Force bomber fleet alongside upgraded B-52s.
  • Part of the Pentagon’s nuclear triad modernization, ensuring credible deterrence in complex global security environments.
• Development and Production:
  • Part of the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) program, initiated in 2011, with Northrop Grumman awarded the development contract in October 2015.
  • Built at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, the same facility used for B-2 production.
  • First aircraft unveiled on December 2, 2022, with the first flight on November 10, 2023.
  • As of September 2024, three airworthy B-21s are involved in flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, with three more in ground testing.
  • Low-rate initial production (LRIP) has begun, with nearly 40 aircraft reportedly in production as of April 2025.
  • Uses advanced manufacturing techniques, including augmented reality tools and AI, reducing assembly hours by nearly a third in some areas.
• Design and Capabilities:
  • Features a flying wing design, similar to the B-2 but smaller, with enhanced stealth technology, including smoother radar-absorbent coatings and recessed air intakes.
  • Described as the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft, with advanced networking, open architecture for easy upgrades, and integration with uncrewed escorts and offboard sensors.
  • Capable of carrying AGM-181 Long Range Stand-Off (LRSO) missiles, JDAM bombs, and nuclear payloads like B61-11, B61-12, and B61-13.
  • Ceiling of 50,000 feet and a payload capacity of approximately 20,000 pounds in its weapons bay.
  • Designed for reduced maintenance compared to the B-2, with more durable stealth coatings to lower operational costs.
• Cost and Budget:
  • Estimated unit cost of $692 million in 2019 dollars (approximately $793 million adjusted for inflation).
  • Total program cost projected at $203 billion for 100 aircraft, including $25.1 billion for development, $64 billion for production, and $114 billion for 30 years of operation.
  • Northrop Grumman reported losses exceeding $2 billion, including a $477 million loss in Q1 2025 due to higher manufacturing and material costs.
  • FY2026 budget allocates $4.74 billion for B-21 development and production to accelerate output.
• Production Goals and Challenges:
  • The Air Force plans to acquire at least 100 B-21s, with some estimates suggesting a need for 145–288 aircraft to counter threats from Russia and China.
  • Current production rate targets 10 aircraft per year, but calls for a second facility aim to double this to 20 per year to meet strategic needs by the 2030s.
  • Challenges include high initial costs, supply chain issues, and macroeconomic factors like inflation affecting material prices.
• Operational Deployment:
  • Expected to reach initial operational capability (IOC) by 2027, though timelines may shift.
  • Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, will host the first operational and training units, with future bases at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, and Dyess AFB, Texas.
  • Maintenance and sustainment coordinated by Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, with testing led by Edwards AFB.
• Strategic Significance:
  • Designed to penetrate advanced air defenses, delivering precision strikes globally, and serving as a battle manager and intelligence platform.
  • Positioned to counter China’s Xi’an H-20 and Russia’s PAK DA, both lagging in development compared to the B-21.
  • Enhances U.S. deterrence in a multipolar world, addressing threats from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Want more information on the B-21?

• Airforce page on the B-21
• Army Recognition: Three Next-Gen U.S. B-21 Raider Strategic Stealth Bombers Active in Test Campaign.