B-21 Raider
The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is the US Air Force's next stealth bomber, selected under the Long Range Strike Bomber contract of October 2015 and flying since November 10, 2023. Two test aircraft operate at Edwards Air Force Base as of mid-2026, built on production tooling so they can be converted to combat configuration, a deliberate break from prototype practice meant to compress the path to fielding.
A $4.5 billion agreement signed in February 2026 raises production capacity at Palmdale by 25%, turning the stated program floor of 100 aircraft into the basis for proposals in Congress for 145 or more. The program completed a planned 180-day test campaign in 73 days in 2026, and first deliveries to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, are expected in 2027.
B-21 Raider at a glance
The B-21 is a single planned configuration, a dual-capable penetrating stealth bomber built to production standard from the first test aircraft.
Variant comparison
| Specification | B-21 |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Two-pilot flying-wing stealth bomber, conventional and nuclear |
| Primary operator | US Air Force, from 2027 |
| Status | In flight test; low-rate initial production |
| Distinguishing feature | Test aircraft built on operational tooling for rapid conversion |
Unusually, the flight-test aircraft were built with production tooling and processes so they can be converted to combat configuration, part of why the programme is running ahead of schedule, completing a 180-day test campaign in 73 days in 2026.
Full specifications
Latest B-21 Raider coverage from AeroTime
Frequently asked questions
First operational aircraft are expected at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027, with the programme currently running ahead of its own schedule.
The US Air Force's stated minimum is 100 aircraft, with proposals in Congress and the Pentagon to raise the fleet toward 145 or more.
The B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit, with the re-engined B-52 continuing alongside it into the 2050s.