B-21

Latest in B-21

The U.S. Air Force's first combat employment of 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs in recent strikes on Iranian nuclear sites draws new attention to work toward a successor.

GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Successor In The Works GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Successor In The Works

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 24, 2025

Mysterious chinese flying wing aircraft that could be the H-20 bomber appears in satellite image.

Massive Stealth Flying Wing Emerges At Secretive Chinese Base Massive Stealth Flying Wing Emerges At Secretive Chinese Base

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 14, 2025

An artist's rendering of the Long Range Standoff Weapon is shown.

First Glimpse Of Air Force’s New Stealth Nuclear Cruise Missile First Glimpse Of Air Force’s New Stealth Nuclear Cruise Missile

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 11, 2025

The first production example of the new B61-13 nuclear bomb has been completed roughly a year ahead of schedule, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Far More Powerful B61-13 Guided Nuclear Bomb Variant Joins U.S. Stockpile Far More Powerful B61-13 Guided Nuclear Bomb Variant Joins U.S. Stockpile

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 19, 2025

Northrop Grumman has blamed higher manufacturing costs for its B-21 Raider stealth bomber for a 49 percent drop in first-quarter profit. This is not the first financial hit for the B-21, with the manufacturer having disclosed a loss of nearly $1.2 billion on the program early last year. The latest news comes as U.S. Air Force officials state a need for 145 of the stealth bombers to cope with increasing threats to U.S. security.

Rising B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Costs Hit Northrop Grumman Rising B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Costs Hit Northrop Grumman

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 22, 2025

B-21 refueling requirements are pushing rethinking of tanker needs.

B-21 Aerial Refueling Demands Further Point To It Being A Stealthy Flying Gas Can B-21 Aerial Refueling Demands Further Point To It Being A Stealthy Flying Gas Can

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 7, 2025

A greater focus on long range strike capabilities is among the alternatives the U.S. Air Force is considering to a costly new crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. A lower-cost design focused primarily on acting as a 'quarterback' for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones is also still on the table.

$20 Billion Price Tag To Complete Development Of USAF’s Next Generation Fighter (Updated) $20 Billion Price Tag To Complete Development Of USAF’s Next Generation Fighter (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 13, 2025

F-35 CCA under trump admin

Former Trump Acting SECDEF Talks About The Future Of Big Ticket Defense Programs Former Trump Acting SECDEF Talks About The Future Of Big Ticket Defense Programs

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Gen. Bussiere said the number and speed of delivery of the B-21 is a “valid discussion” to have “based on the age of the B-1 and B-2” and the advancing strategic capabilities of Russia and China.

B-21 Raider Numbers Could Be Boosted With Existing Production Capacity B-21 Raider Numbers Could Be Boosted With Existing Production Capacity

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

B-21 Taking On Some Of NGAD Fighter’s Missions On The Table Air Force Says

B-21 Taking On Some Of NGAD Fighter’s Missions On The Table Air Force Says B-21 Taking On Some Of NGAD Fighter’s Missions On The Table Air Force Says

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 26, 2024

The expected size of the U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider fleet could change as part of an ongoing force structure review, according to the bomber's manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

B-21 Raider Fleet Size Under Review B-21 Raider Fleet Size Under Review

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 24, 2024

The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman have expanded testing of the B-21 thanks to two ground test articles, which are being used to evaluate the bomber's core construction and the time it takes before certain parts break. The tempo of flight testing of the initial pre-production Raider is also growing, with the jet now sometimes taking to the skies twice a week.

B-21 Ground Test Airframes Join Flying Pre-Production Raider B-21 Ground Test Airframes Join Flying Pre-Production Raider

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

The U.S. Air Force has released new video footage of its first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber undergoing flight testing.

New Look At B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Flight Testing Released New Look At B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Flight Testing Released

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

B-2/B-21 comparison

B-21, B-2 Comparison Image Shows Just How Weird The Raider’s Windows Really Are B-21, B-2 Comparison Image Shows Just How Weird The Raider’s Windows Really Are

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 23, 2024

B-21 raider first air-to-air image

First Aerial View Of B-21 Raider Offers New Insights First Aerial View Of B-21 Raider Offers New Insights

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 22, 2024

The Air Force new 5,000-pound-class GBU-72/B bunker buster bomb could be a future addition to the B-2 bomber's arsenal.

B-2 Spirits Could Get New 5,000-Pound Bunker Busters B-2 Spirits Could Get New 5,000-Pound Bunker Busters

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 7, 2024