Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider
The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is the United States Air Force’s next-generation stealth strategic bomber, designed to replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit. Developed under the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) program, the B-21 will feature advanced stealth, global reach, and the ability to deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads. Its first flight is expected in the mid-2020s, with operational service planned for the late 2020s.
Fact Sheet
| Role | Stealth Strategic Bomber |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
| First Flight | Expected 2024 |
| Service Entry | Expected late 2020s |
| Crew | 2 (with unmanned capability planned) |
| Number Planned | At least 100 |
Specifications (Estimated)
| Length | Classified (estimated ~66 ft / 20 m) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Classified (estimated ~164 ft / 50 m) |
| Height | Classified |
| Max Takeoff Weight | Classified (estimated ~140,000 lb / 63,500 kg) |
| Powerplant | Classified (expected 2 or 4 advanced turbofan engines) |
| Max Speed | Subsonic |
| Range | Intercontinental (exact range classified) |
| Service Ceiling | Classified |
Armament & Defensive Equipment
| Guns | None |
|---|---|
| Bomb Load | Conventional and nuclear weapons (exact capacity classified) |
| Aiming Equipment | Advanced radar, sensors, and electronic warfare systems |
Notable Features
- Next-generation stealth technology for low observability
- Designed for both manned and unmanned operations
- Global strike capability with conventional and nuclear payloads
- Open architecture for future upgrades and integration
- Will serve as the backbone of the U.S. bomber fleet for decades
The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is a next-generation, long-range stealth bomber currently in development for the U.S. Air Force. Designed to eventually replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers, the B-21 is a key part of the nation’s nuclear triad and is built with an emphasis on stealth, adaptability, and digital integration.
Design and Capabilities
The B-21’s design is heavily influenced by the B-2 Spirit, featuring a similar flying wing shape for maximum stealth. However, the Raider is slightly smaller and more advanced. It’s built with an open-architecture systems approach, meaning its software and hardware can be easily upgraded with new technology, making it a highly adaptable platform for decades to come.
- Stealth and Survivability: The B-21 is designed to be even stealthier than its predecessor, with a much lower radar cross-section. Its advanced stealth features allow it to penetrate the most sophisticated air defenses without being detected.
- Dual-Mission Capable: The bomber is being developed for both conventional and nuclear missions from its inception. It’s expected to carry a wide range of weapons, including both standoff cruise missiles and conventional and nuclear gravity bombs.
- Digital Integration: The B-21 is the first bomber to be a “digital native,” designed with a full digital thread from initial concept to production. This approach dramatically reduces development time and costs and simplifies maintenance and future upgrades.
- Uncrewed Option: While designed to be crewed, the B-21 is being built with a “optionally manned” capability, meaning it could potentially operate without a crew in the future.
Development and Future
The B-21 program is moving forward on schedule and within budget, a rare achievement for a major defense program. The first prototype, known as “Raider 1,” had its first flight on November 10, 2023.
- Production: Northrop Grumman is currently in the early stages of production. The U.S. Air Force plans to procure at least 100 B-21s, with the first bombers expected to enter operational service in the mid-to-late 2020s.
- Operational Bases: The B-21 Raider will be based at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri; and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Ellsworth will be the first base to receive the aircraft and will serve as the B-21’s formal training unit.
- Role: The B-21 is expected to eventually replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers. Its combination of stealth, long range, and adaptability is central to the Pentagon’s strategy of maintaining a credible deterrent in a new era of great power competition.
