Serial production of the B-21 Raider, the newest stealth bomber of the United States, starts
Northrop Grumman has received the green light to start production of the latest B-21 Raider bomber.
Production of the stealthy B-21 Raider stealth bomber is moving forward. Last fall, based on the results of ground and flight tests and the mature plans of the production team, I gave the go-ahead to start mass production of the B-21. “One of the key characteristics of this program from the very beginning was to develop production – and on a scale that would provide a credible deterrent to adversaries,” said William LaPlante, the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
“Production of the B-21 stealth bomber is moving forward,” DoD undersecretary William LaPlante says in a statement. “This past fall, based on the results of ground and flight tests and the team’s mature plans for manufacturing, I gave the go-ahead to begin producing B-21s.”
— Anthony Capaccio (@ACapaccio) January 22, 2024
The stealth bomber made its maiden flight in November, and following this test, Northrop was awarded a contract for initial production of the B-21. On Thursday, the company will report earnings for the last quarter of 2023 and is likely to provide investors with an update on the program.
Last week, the Air Force confirmed that one of six B-21 test aircraft had made a test flight from Edwards Air Force Base, marking the second publicly confirmed flight of the bomber, transmits Defence One.
This aircraft will replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit and is expected to enter service in the mid-2020s. The Air Force plans to purchase at least 100 units.
