Recently, Northrop Grumman received a second contract at the end of 2024 from the United States Air Force (USAF) as part of the low-rate initial production of the new B-21 Raider stealth bomber. However, as recent statements indicate, it was also revealed that discussions are underway between the Air Force and the company regarding the initiative to accelerate the production of the new sixth-generation aircraft.
As part of the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) program to develop the new B-21 Raider bomber for the United States Air Force (USAF), Northrop Grumman received the green light in early 2024 to begin initial production of the units. At that stage, the contract involved a “low-rate” initial production of a few units. It is worth noting that this decision followed the necessary ground and flight tests of the first aircraft, which yielded satisfactory results.
The future strategic bomber program aims not only to enhance the capabilities of the United States Air Force—becoming the backbone of the U.S. Strategic Bomber Force—but also to replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit in order to “provide strategic deterrence.” Along these lines, it was also stated that the aircraft is designed for deep and penetrating attack missions, evading air defense networks, as well as executing long-range precision attacks. Lastly, it was mentioned that it is expected to enter service by 2025, with a production goal of at least 100 aircraft.
Returning to the present, the U.S. portal Air and Space Forces reported that since the award of the first contract, Northrop has been meeting program milestones for the new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missiles and suggested that the company could compete for the Next-Generation Air Dominance program if it is reopened.
It is worth noting that as early as May 2024, the Air Force’s acquisition chief, Andrew P. Hunter, told a group of lawmakers that the modernization process of the U.S. Air Force’s nuclear capabilities in its air branch (in contrast to delays in the land component) was making significant progress. This meant that two of its most critical components—the new B-21 bombers and the AGM-181 LRSO nuclear missiles—were being evaluated with positive results to ensure their integration.
While the details of these test results, as well as progress in the manufacturing of the initial units, remain classified, the USAF acknowledged that at least six B-21s are at various stages of completion, with at least one undergoing flight testing since at least November 2023. Reports also indicate that the production rate suggested by the USAF and the Pentagon is about seven bombers per year.
Regarding the discussions and feasibility analyses for accelerating the production rate, it remains unclear how many additional units would be included beyond the original projections. However, it was revealed that all possible data is being analyzed to determine the correct pricing. This aligns with statements from USAF Chief of Staff General David W. Allvin, who noted: “…by the time the B-21 program reaches its planned total of 100 aircraft—by the mid-2030s—it is likely that new technologies will emerge that the service will want to incorporate instead.”
Meanwhile, former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, who left his position on January 20, told Air & Space Forces Magazine that discussions to increase the B-21’s production rate are ongoing, but that contracts for the initial batches—being fixed-price agreements—mean that “there’s not much we can do” to accelerate the program for approximately the next five years.
Beyond this, the most recent revealing news about the program came in May of last year, when the first official images of the new bomber in flight were released—six months after its first test flight—allowing for a closer look at the aircraft’s features. For instance, its attack angles appear steeper compared to those of the B-2 Spirit, enhancing the aircraft’s stealth characteristics. Additionally, the new side cockpit windows were observed in greater detail, showcasing their distinctive trapezoidal shape.
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