US Air Force will get 1st operational B-21 Raider bombers in 2026 as production scales up at Palmdale plant
July 16, 2025
The United States Air Force has confirmed that at least two B-21 Raider bombers will be delivered in 2026.
While these aircraft are primarily for testing, Air and Space Forces reports that the aircraft are being made to full production standards with limited modifications required to convert them into combat-ready platforms.
This development aligns with the Air Force’s fiscal year 2026 budget, which includes $10.3 billion for the B-21 programme, of which $4.5 billion is allocated for scaling up production.
Expanding production of the B-21 Raider
According to Air Force officials, the expanded production will occur within Northrop Grumman’s existing facilities at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, and involve contributions from select Tier 1 suppliers.
Suppliers supporting the B-21 programme include BAE Systems, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, Janicki Industries, Spirit AeroSystems, and Pratt & Whitney, which manufactures the aircraft’s engines.
The Air Force has indicated that additional tooling and workforce development at these sites will support the ramp-up, rather than any construction of new plants.
Northrop Grumman recently reported a $477 million charge related to changes in production processes to support a higher manufacturing rate, citing materials costs and design modifications aimed at improving efficiency.
Could the USAF take more than 100 B-21 Raiders?
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin stated in congressional testimony that the service could consider expanding the B-21 fleet beyond the currently planned minimum of 100 aircraft.
The decision, he says, depends on how the B-52J modernisation programme progresses. That programme includes engine replacement and radar modernisation for 76 aircraft.
Gen. Allvin added that while the B-21 programme is on track, the service should be cautious about accelerating production too rapidly, suggesting further evaluation over time.
“Our B-1B and B-2 fleets remain a credible strategic deterrent until they are divested and replaced by the B-21. The future Air Force will include a two-bomber force made up of the B-21 and the recapitalised B-52,” he said.
Flight testing continues at Edwards Air Force Base, where the Combined Test Force (CTF), comprising Air Force and Northrop Grumman personnel, is evaluating the aircraft’s performance.
Test pilot Chris ”Hoss“ Moss reported that the B-21’s handling exceeds expectations and aligns closely with digital simulations.
Preparing the B-21 for entry into service
Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota has been designated as the first operational base and training site for the B-21, with supporting infrastructure under construction since 2021.
Although no firm date has been announced for Initial Operational Capability (IOC), the Air Force said it will be determined by Air Force Global Strike Command, based on classified performance criteria.
When the programme was awarded to Northrop in 2015, the Air Force said early test aircraft would be “usable assets.” That commitment remains in place, with the service confirming that aircraft can be made combat-ready by removing test-specific components such as the refuelling boom and instrumentation.
Northrop Grumman has adopted a strategy of building test aircraft to production standards from the outset, bypassing traditional prototype paths. The approach allows the company to scale quickly, with technicians using augmented reality and robotic systems.
The B-21 Raider remains a central element of the US Air Force’s future strategic deterrent. While questions remain about the total number to be procured and the pace of production, the confirmation of two new aircraft for 2026, ongoing testing, and manufacturing ramp-up underscore steady progress.
