B-21 Raider bomber zooms into fast-track production

The US has announced that its next-generation stealth bomber is now slated for production, signaling a new era in aerial warfare and strategic deterrence amid renewed great power competition with China and Russia.

Several news outlets reported that the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, the next-generation aircraft of the US Air Force, is now ready for production by defense contractor <a href=«https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/NOC?p=NOC&.tsrc=» https:>Northrop Grumman

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US Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante confirmed that the B-21 production is moving forward based on ground and flight tests and mature plans for manufacturing. That’s a fast timeline considering the aircraft passed its initial flight testing just two months ago.

The B-21 will replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit and is expected to enter service in the mid-2020s. The US Air Force plans to buy at least 100 of the aircraft, according to the reports. The US Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO) is managing the acquisition program, which puts the bomber on a faster track than previous fielding of new aircraft.

The B-21 is designed to reduce risk by pairing mature and semi-mature systems with an advanced airframe that leverages lessons learned from other programs. The aircraft is part of a family of systems, including the Long-Range Stand-Off (LRSO) stealthy nuclear-tipped cruise missile and the RQ-180 strategic reconnaissance drone.

The first operational squadron of B-21s is anticipated to be stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. At the same time, Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas are expected to host future squadrons.

While the B-1B and B-2 were designed to penetrate