The U.S. Department of the Air Force and Virginia-based Northrop Grumman Corp., an aerospace and defense company, recently reached an agreement to expand production capacity of the B-21 Raider.
The B-21 Raider is a stealth bomber designed to operate in the most contested environments and to hold any target at risk. The agreement increases annual production capacity by 25 percent and compresses delivery timelines. It applies $4.5 billion in funding already authorized and appropriated under the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation legislation.
“The B-21 is foundational to our long-range strike capability and to credible deterrence,” Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said. “Accelerating production capacity now ensures we deliver operational capability to combatant commanders faster — strengthening our ability to outpace, deter, and, if necessary, defeat emerging threats. This is disciplined execution at the speed the security environment demands.”
The B-21 is currently undergoing test flights. It integrates advanced stealth, resilient networking, and a modern, data-driven command and control architecture.
“This decision reflects our confidence in the program’s performance and the stability of the industrial base,” Gen. Dale R. White, Critical Major Weapon Systems director, said.
Northrop Grumman delivered aircraft on schedule last year. It remains on track for its 2027 deliveries.