Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider
The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is an American strategic bomber under development for the United States Air Force (USAF) by Northrop Grumman. As part of the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) program, it is to be a long-range, stealth intercontinental strategic bomber for the USAF, able to deliver conventional and thermonuclear weapons. The Air Force intends the B-21 to replace the Rockwell B-1 Lancer and Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit by 2040, and possibly the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress after that.
| B-21 Raider | |
|---|---|
| B-21 in a hangar at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California | |
| Role | Stealth strategic bomber |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
| First flight | 10 November 2023 |
| Status | Low rate initial production |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 1 |
The Air Force began planning for the B-21 in 2011 and awarded the major development contract in 2015. The B-21 made its first flight on 10 November 2023. It is expected to enter service by 2027.
Many aspects of the B-21 program are highly classified; the program is designated as a special access program. The Congressional Research Service noted in 2021 that the B-21's technical details and specifications, such as speed, enabling systems, "size, required stealth, structure, number and type of engines, projected weapons, and onboard sensors remain classified" although some information about various other aspects of the program have been made public since 2015. The first photos of the aircraft were released on 2 December 2022, taken during a rollout ceremony at Northrop Grumman's production facilities in Palmdale, California.