• US Air Force to accelerate B-21 raider production to boost stealth bomber fleet New deal aims for faster B-21 deliveries while targeting minimum 100-plane stealth fleet. • The US Air Force and Northrop Grumman are nearing an agreement to speed up production of the B-21 Raider, which is expected to go into service by 2027. • As reported by Inside Defense, the program is currently in low-rate initial production. • A $4.5 billion capacity expansion will see manufacturing throughput increased, while maintaining the program of record at a minimum of 100 B-21 Raiders. • A dual-capable penetrating stealth bomber Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden recently stated that the B-21 Raider program is transitioning toward production. • Several of the aircraft are already in the testing phase, and performance in modeling has exceeded expectations.
Article Summaries:
- The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman are close to a deal that will speed up production of the B‑21 Raider stealth bomber, aiming for earlier deliveries while keeping the planned fleet at a minimum of 100 aircraft. The agreement will add a $4.5 billion capacity‑expansion to the low‑rate initial production line at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The B‑21, which first flew in November 2023, is slated to enter service by 2027 and is designed to replace the B‑1B, B‑2, and eventually the B‑52. The new framework is expected to be finalized by the end of March 2025.
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