B-21
Raider : Know Your Bomber
The B-21 Raider will be a dual-capable penetrating strike stealth bomber
capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. The B-21 will
form the backbone of the future Air Force bomber force consisting of B-21s and
B-52s. Designed to operate in tomorrow’s high-end threat environment, the B-21
will play a critical role in ensuring America’s enduring airpower capability.
The B-21 Raider will be a component of a larger family of systems for
conventional Long Range Strike, including Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance, electronic attack, communication and other capabilities. It
will be nuclear capable and designed to accommodate manned or unmanned
operations. Additionally, it will be able to employ a broad mix of stand-off
and direct-attack munitions. The B-21 is being designed with open systems
architecture to reduce integration risk and enable competition for future
modernization efforts to allow for the aircraft to evolve as the threat
environment changes.
The Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office leads the development
of the B-21 Raider under the direction of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment and the Secretary of the Air Force. The Air Force
awarded the B-21 Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract to Northrop
Grumman on October 27th, 2015. Northrop Grumman’s partners on the B-21 program
include Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace,
BAE Systems and Spirit Aerosystems.
In 2018, the program successfully conducted the weapon systems Critical Design
Review, a comprehensive program-wide evaluation of design maturity, stability
and risk. In 2019, the Air Force completed the Strategic Basing Process
announcing Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; Whiteman Air Force Base,
Missouri; and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas are the preferred locations for B-21
main operating bases.
After completing the Environmental Impact Statement process as required by the
National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory processes, in 2021, the
Air Force named Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota as the first B-21 main
operating base and location of the Formal Training Unit.
The Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California will host the
B-21 Combined Test Force and the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air
Force Base, Oklahoma is the site for depot planning.
The B-21 Raider is named in honor of the historic Doolittle Raiders, U.S. Army
Air Force men who are known for their surprise attack against Japan during
World War II on April 18, 1942, which forced the Japanese to recall combat
forces for home defense, and boosted morale among Americans and U.S. allies
abroad. The designation B-21 recognizes the Raider as the first bomber of the
21st century.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Nuclear-capable, penetrating strike stealth bomber
Lead Command: Air Force Global Strike Command
Inventory: Minimum of 100 aircraft
Average Unit Procurement Cost (APUC): $550 million (base year 2010 dollars) /
$639 million (base year 2019 dollars) / $692 million (base year 2022 dollars)*APUC
is the total costs of all procurement funding to include, aircraft flyaway
costs, support equipment, training, spares, and engineering change orders
divided by a minimum of 100 aircraft.
*Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates directed B-21 Average Procurement
Unit Cost as a key performance parameter as the best means to control costs.
Munitions: Nuclear and conventional
Operational: Mid-2020s
Check Out Story of B-21 Raider
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