Air Force officials recently met with Northrop Grumman personnel to garner insight regarding B-21 engineering and manufacturing developments.
Air Force senior leadership visited Northrop Grumman’s Melbourne B-21 Raider design and development headquarters, with scientists there offering updates on the progress of both software development and the build of the initial test aircraft, currently underway in Palmdale, Calif.
The stealth bomber’s evolution is via the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office in partnership with Northrop Grumman. The endeavor aligns with the Department of Defense to ensure modernization of nuclear forces is its number one priority.
“The Raider workforce demonstrates the highest level of commitment to modernizing the nuclear force,” Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett, said. “The B-21 will be a visible, flexible component of the nuclear triad that assures allies and partners.”
Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology, and logistics, said the B-21 is one of the branch’s top modernization programs to maintain both a nuclear and conventional warfighting advantage.
Barrett attended the Air Force Association (AFA) Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, last month, officials said, indicating the site visit to Northrop Grumman occurred six months after former Acting Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Donavan announced the B-21 production location at AFA’s 2019 Air, Space and Cyber Conference.