Military Testing of B-21 Bombers for Combat Deployment, Northrop Grumman Authorized to Enhance Production Capabilities at Plant 42
The U.S. Air Force has announced plans to expand the production of the B-21 Raider, the next-generation long-range stealth bomber, primarily within Northrop Grumman's existing manufacturing facilities at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California [1][2].
The expansion is necessary to accommodate a higher production rate, with Northrop Grumman taking a $477 million charge on the B-21 program to cover the associated "process change" [1]. The Air Force acknowledges that this approach—using existing facilities and supplier lines—is critical to maintaining stable and efficient production.
In addition to Northrop Grumman's Palmdale plant, several key Tier 1 suppliers located at various sites across the U.S. will also expand their production roles to support the higher B-21 manufacturing rate [1][2]. The major Tier 1 suppliers identified (based on a 2016 partial list referenced by the Air Force) include:
- BAE Systems in Nashua, New Hampshire
- Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- GKN Aerospace in St. Louis, Missouri
- Janicki Industries in Sedro-Woolley, Washington
- Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, Kansas
- Pratt & Whitney (a division of RTX), which produces the B-21's engines [1][2]
The Air Force's fiscal 2026 budget request for the B-21 totals $10.3 billion, with $4.5 billion earmarked for expanded manufacturing [1]. The production rate of the B-21 is classified, but it is believed to be 7-8 aircraft per year [1]. At least two B-21 bombers will be flying in 2026, and there will be at least two test-configured B-21 aircraft in FY26 [1]. The B-21 production target is at least 100 aircraft [1].
The Air Force and the Congress's Reconciliation bill for 2026 include funding for a B-21 production increase [1]. The specific criteria for determining when the B-21 has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) are classified [1]. Air Force Global Strike Command holds final authority on determining when the B-21 has achieved IOC [1].
Military construction at Ellsworth Air Force Base for the B-21 has been underway for three years, with Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., planned to be the B-21's first operational base [1]. The B-21 is intended to replace the B-2 and B-1 in the early 2030s [1].
Changing the defense industry's contracts to allow surge production capacity could expand capacity, according to Northrop Grumman's Tom Jones [1]. The Air Force has acknowledged errors in its B-21 budget tables [1].
References: [1] https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/02/16/b-21-production-expansion-to-take-place-primarily-within-existing-facilities/ [2] https://www.airforcemag.com/b-21-raider-production-expansion-to-take-place-primarily-within-existing-facilities/
- The U.S. Air Force's Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, will expand its production facilities to accommodate the increased production rate of the B-21 Raider, a next-generation long-range stealth bomber.
- Several key Tier 1 suppliers, such as BAE Systems in Nashua, New Hampshire, Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, GKN Aerospace in St. Louis, Missouri, Janicki Industries in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, Kansas, and Pratt & Whitney (a division of RTX), will expand their production roles to support the B-21's higher manufacturing rate.
- The Air Force's fiscal 2026 budget request for the B-21 totals $10.3 billion, with a significant portion of the funds allocated for expanded manufacturing, and the production rate of the B-21, estimated at 7-8 aircraft per year, is classified.
- The B-21 production target is at least 100 aircraft, and at least two B-21 bombers will be flying in 2026, with at least two test-configured B-21 aircraft in FY26.
- A space force may require advanced aerospace technologies and defense systems, considering the B-21's intended role in ensuring military security, and the Air Force might consider integrating such technologies in future B-21 development or other military aircraft programs.
