U.S. Air Force Releases More Photos of B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber

ABILENE, TX — In the mid-2020s, Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene, Texas, will welcome the B-21 Raider, the U.S. Air Force's cutting-edge stealth bomber. Designed to ensure America's enduring airpower, the B-21 Raider will play a crucial role in the nation's defense strategy, enhancing the capabilities of the Air Force's bomber fleet alongside the venerable B-52 Stratofortress. The Raider will be based at Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene when it is finally operational. The U.S. Air Force released photos of flight testing of the Raider last week and in congressional testimony, an Air Force spokesman said the testing phase is progressing normally.

The B-21 Raider is a dual-capable penetrating strike stealth bomber, designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear munitions. As the backbone of the future Air Force bomber force, the B-21 is engineered to operate in high-end threat environments, ensuring robust airpower capability for the United States. This advanced aircraft will be integral to the U.S. strategic deterrence and power projection, capable of penetrating sophisticated enemy defenses to strike crucial targets.

The B-21 Raider is a component of a larger family of systems for Long Range Strike, which includes Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), electronic attack, and communication capabilities. It boasts an open systems architecture to reduce integration risk and enable future modernization, ensuring that the aircraft can evolve as the threat landscape changes. The B-21 is also designed to accommodate both manned and unmanned operations, offering flexibility for various mission profiles.

The development of the B-21 Raider is spearheaded by the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, with Northrop Grumman awarded the Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract on October 27, 2015. Northrop Grumman, along with partners Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Spirit Aerosystems, has made significant strides in the program. Notably, in 2018, the weapon systems Critical Design Review confirmed the design's maturity, stability, and risk management.

Following a thorough Strategic Basing Process, Dyess Air Force Base, along with Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota and Whiteman AFB in Missouri, were selected as the preferred locations for the B-21's main operating bases. Ellsworth AFB is designated as the first main operating base and the site for the Formal Training Unit (FTU), with Dyess AFB slated to receive aircraft as they become available. An FTU is where newly-minted pilots and weapons system operators will learn to fly and operate the B-21. Dyess AFB currently is the FTU for the soon-to-be-retired B-1B Lancer.

The B-21 Raider began flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, following its unveiling on December 2, 2022. According to Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, the flight test program is proceeding on schedule, providing valuable insights into the aircraft's unique characteristics. This testing is critical to ensuring the B-21 meets its operational timelines and performance requirements.

Hunter emphasized that the B-21 is the first aircraft to be more digital than not, which has been pivotal in meeting program requirements. The Air Force's approach to building test aircraft as production-representative models has streamlined the transition to full-scale production, ensuring that the aircraft are ready for operational deployment more quickly.

The B-21 Raider is set to replace aging B-1 and B-2 bombers, enhancing the U.S. Air Force's long-range strike capabilities. With its stealth features, range, access, and payload capacity, the B-21 will be able to penetrate highly contested environments and hold any target worldwide at risk. This capability is crucial for maintaining U.S. deterrence and strategic advantage in an increasingly complex global security environment.

Ellsworth AFB will be the first base to receive the B-21, with Dyess AFB and Whiteman AFB following as additional aircraft become available. The integration of the B-21 Raider into these bases will ensure that the U.S. maintains a formidable and flexible bomber force capable of addressing future threats.

The B-21 Raider represents a significant leap forward in stealth bomber technology and capability. As it becomes operational in the mid-2020s, it will enhance the U.S. Air Force's ability to project power and maintain strategic deterrence. Dyess Air Force Base's role in hosting this advanced aircraft underscores its importance in the nation's defense infrastructure, preparing to support the B-21's mission of ensuring America's airpower supremacy for decades to come.

The projected cost of each copy of the B-21 is $700 million in 2022. That figure is the original cost of $500 million per copy estimated in 2010 with added adjustments for inflation over 12 years.