B-21 still makes ‘good progress’ towards possible first flight this year
Artist’s impression of the B-21 Raider bomber being developed by Northrop Grumman. (Image: Northrop Grumman)
The USAF says the B-21 Raider bomber — currently in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase — is on track for initial deliveries in the mid-2020s.
The B-21 Raider next-generation long-range strike aircraft programme for the USAF is progressing towards a first flight – possibly this year – as well as initial production, backed by a nearly $30 billion commitment in the Pentagon’s spending plan and the confidence of senior leaders.
As a Special Access Program (and a follow-on platform to the B-2 stealth bomber), key details regarding the B-21 are exempt from the usual disclosures required of all big-ticket weapon systems; but DoD officials have outlined recent developments in broad terms.
‘The B-21 is making good progress,’ Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition]()
New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition
The US$234 million award for 16 Sikorsky UH-60Ms preserves near-term production, but funding uncertainty and an undefinitised contract leave the US Army’s long-term Black Hawk requirements unresolved.
-
![V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal]()
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
![AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
