Northrop Grumman expands B-21 Raider production facilities

The United States Air Force and Northrop Grumman have begun expanding assembly facilities to accelerate the production of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The project involves constructing a new final assembly line at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, adding over 90,000 square meters of new production space.

This infrastructure expansion is part of a Department of Defense agreement with Northrop Grumman to increase the annual production rate of the B-21 Raider by 25%. To expedite the planned delivery of 100 aircraft, the Air Force is seeking an additional $4.5 billion in funding from Congress.

The B-21 Raider is a strategic stealth bomber designed for long-range precision strikes using both conventional and nuclear weapons. The aircraft is currently undergoing flight testing, with the first production models expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota by 2027. Admiral Richard Correll, head of the U.S. Strategic Command, has suggested to lawmakers that the planned fleet should be increased to 145 aircraft to maintain superiority over potential adversaries.