The US Air Force and Northrop Grumman have finalized an agreement to accelerate production of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, using $4.5 billion in congressionally authorized funding to expand annual manufacturing capacity by about 25%.
The US Department of the Air Force said the agreement applies $4.5 billion already authorized and appropriated under the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation legislation to accelerate the approved acquisition profile by increasing annual production capacity by 25%, compressing delivery timelines while preserving cost and performance discipline.
Northrop Grumman framed the move as a joint push to deliver operational capability sooner, with the company pointing to ongoing investments meant to support higher throughput as the program transitions from early production into a faster delivery phase.
The B-21 is built in Palmdale, California, where Northrop has emphasized digital engineering and manufacturing methods as key enablers for scaling output more efficiently than legacy bomber programs.
First operational B-21 expected for 2027
The B-21 Raider is the US Air Force’s next-generation long-range stealth bomber, designed from the outset to operate in highly contested environments against advanced air defense systems. With a target of at least 100 aircraft, it is intended to replace parts of the aging B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit fleets while complementing the B-52H in the long term.
The production acceleration comes as the B-21 flight test effort continues at Edwards Air Force Base. The second B-21 test aircraft arrived at Edwards on September 11, 2025, joining the first test jet already flying there and enabling parallel work on more advanced evaluations.
The US Air Force has said the first operational B-21 remains on track for delivery in 2027, with Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, set to become the bomber’s first main operating base. The program of record remains at least 100 aircraft, intended to replace portions of the B-1 and B-2 fleets over time.