Based on recent remarks by CEO Kathy Warden, U.S. company Northrop Grumman has revealed that it is finalizing details with the U.S. Air Force to expand production of the new B-21 Raider stealth bombers, with the company expecting to have a new contract in place before the end of next March. This development comes virtually in parallel with the announcement of an agreement to manufacture a third initial production lot, marking another step forward in building the new fleet.
Drawing on some of Warden’s statements: “We continue to work closely with the Air Force on plans to increase the program’s production rate. Our priority is to establish a mutually beneficial agreement that accelerates delivery of this game-changing capability to our nation (…) I’m optimistic and I believe we will reach an agreement with the Air Force this quarter.” If so, the new agreement should be defined before 31 March.
On the other hand, U.S. analysts have been speculating that this will be an agreement requiring significant investment from Washington, even though its specifics remain tightly guarded—much as has been the case throughout the B-21 program. In this regard, questions have been raised as to whether the statements cited above refer solely to efforts aimed at accelerating aircraft deliveries, leaving open the possibility that the U.S. Air Force could even choose to increase the number of aircraft purchased.
Northrop Grumman has indicated that looking ahead it plans an additional investment of between $2 billion and $3 billion over the coming years to facilitate production expansion, on top of another $477 million already invested in manufacturing-process changes intended to speed it up. This should be considered alongside the fact that, according to published budget plans, the U.S. Air Force intends to spend the more than $4.5 billion it was granted under the reconciliation law for this fiscal year—split almost evenly between research programs and procurement.
Nevertheless, it is also worth noting that even as the USAF seeks to drive the production of its new stealth bombers—achieving milestones such as completing ground and flight testing with the platform—it is also facing obstacles from the U.S. Congress in the form of budget cuts tied to the FY2026 budget. Citing what have been termed “classified adjustments,” lawmakers enacted a net reduction of roughly $211 million, derived from the difference between a $409 million increase for research projects and a $620 million cut to procurement.
For the time being, it should be recalled that the U.S. Air Force is aiming to field a fleet of around 100 B-21 Raider bombers to modernize its capabilities, specifically replacing its aging B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit aircraft. Broadly speaking, this is a stealth platform that will enable the service to carry out long-range deep-strike missions even in heavily defended enemy environments, thereby ensuring a highly relevant strategic deterrence capability.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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