TheTechno Optimist.

B-21 RaiderNorthrop Grumman—Ground broken on a new 1 million sq ft B-21 final assembly line in PalmdaleMission Extension Vehicles / Mission Robotic VehicleNorthrop Grumman—Northrop Grumman launches Mission Robotic Vehicle for commercial satellite servicing in geosynchronous orbitNorthrop Grumman—Air Force and Northrop Grumman break ground on B-21 production facility in PalmdaleB-21 RaiderNorthrop Grumman—Air Force and Northrop agree to raise B-21 production capacity by 25% using $4.5B of 2025 fundingYFQ-48A TalonNorthrop Grumman—USAF designates Northrop Grumman's Project Talon as YFQ-48A, a strong contender for Collaborative Combat Aircraft Increment 2

B-21 Raider

by Northrop GrummanUS

Give the US Air Force at least 100 survivable bombers able to strike anywhere in the world, with an open design that can be upgraded as threats change.

PilotStage 3 of 5

Two jets in flight test at Edwards; first bombers due at Ellsworth AFB in 2027; new assembly line begun.

Updated 12d agoChecked 11 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · First operational bombers at Ellsworth AFB
  1. B-21 unveiled in Palmdale2 Dec 2022Complete.
  2. First flight, Palmdale to Edwards AFB10 Nov 2023Complete.
  3. Low-rate initial production approvedJan 2024Complete.
  4. Second test aircraft flies11 Sep 2025Complete.
  5. New final assembly line breaks ground (+25% capacity)29 Sep 2026Complete.
  6. First operational bombers at Ellsworth AFBTarget 2027Current milestone.

Most important updates

Upcoming

  1. 2027First operational bombers at Ellsworth AFB (next)
  2. 2027Decision on buying more than 100 B-21s expected with the FY2028 budget request
Primer