US Air Force Shares First Photos of B-21 Raider ‘Digital Bomber’

The US Air Force and partner Northrop Grumman revealed the first photos of its B-21 Raider strike bomber as part of a formal unveiling ceremony in California last week.

Northrop Grumman secured a development contract for the bomber back in 2015, with the program being overseen by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. The B-21 Raider is the first sixth-generation aircraft(Opens in a new window), with Northrop stating that means it combines “stealth, information advantage and open architecture” while offering a mix of conventional and nuclear munitions.

(Credit: U.S. Air Force)

“The B-21 Raider is a testament to America’s enduring advantages in ingenuity and innovation. And it’s proof of the Department’s long-term commitment to building advanced capabilities that will fortify America’s ability to deter aggression, today and into the future. Now, strengthening and sustaining U.S. deterrence is at the heart of our National Defense Strategy,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.

Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, believes the B-21 allows the US Air Force to “be able to deter or defeat threats anywhere in the world.” The use of an open architecture is meant to ensure rapid upgrades can be introduced to the bomber, keeping its capabilities up-to-date and therefore extending its lifespan. This focus on software and advanced manufacturing techniques has earned it the title of “digital bomber(Opens in a new window).”

There are currently six B-21 Raider aircraft(Opens in a new window) in production as test units, but they are all being built on the same production line with the same team of technicians to ensure “repeatability, producibility and quality” when full production commences.

The Air Force wants at least 100 B-21 Raiders in its fleet, with each one costing $692 million. The first flight is expected to occur in 2023, and then they will begin entering service in 2026/27. All dates are, of course, subject to change. Ultimately, the B-21 Raider is expected to replace the B-1 Lancer (introduced in 1986) and B-2 Spirit (introduced in 1997) bombers.