Ground broken on a new 1 million sq ft B-21 final assembly line in Palmdale

Northrop Grumman/B-21 Raider

The Air Force and Northrop broke ground on a new B-21 final assembly line of about a million square feet at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale. It is the space for the 25% capacity increase agreed in February. Two test bombers are flying at Edwards and the jet is due to join the operational fleet in 2027.

• Groundbreaking 29 September 2026; announced 6 October.
• Funded by $4.5B of federal money plus $2.5B committed by Northrop.
• Program of record: at least 100 bombers; a decision on more is expected with the 2028 budget request.
• Two test aircraft flying at Edwards AFB.