Northrop Grumman said the B-21 Raider Combined Test Force completed half of the planned missions under the programme while helping secure US$11.8 billion in contract value. The company described the achievement as evidence of growing confidence in the aircraft’s performance during testing operations.
“The B-21 Raider Combined Test Force, a partnership with the U.S. Air Force, cut a 180-day test plan to 73 days, securing $11.8B with half the missions,” Northrop Grumman said in a statement posted on X. “We’re driving next-gen stealth forward, fast and focused,” the company added.
The B-21 Raider Combined Test Force, a partnership with @usairforce, cut a 180-day test plan to 73 days, securing $11.8B with half the missions.
We’re driving next-gen stealth forward, fast and focused. pic.twitter.com/mDejIVgp5x
— Northrop Grumman (@northropgrumman) May 7, 2026
The compressed testing schedule is notable for a major military aviation programme, where technical problems or failed evaluations often extend development timelines. According to the report, the B-21 programme appears to have avoided many of the delays typically associated with complex aircraft flight testing.
The Combined Test Force includes personnel from Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force’s 412th Test Wing. The integrated structure combines contractor and government testing operations to reduce duplication and accelerate data analysis and mission planning.
Northrop Grumman describes the B-21 Raider as the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft to enter flight testing, developed using more than three decades of stealth and strike aviation experience. The company said the aircraft combines long range, survivability and payload flexibility to penetrate heavily defended airspace and conduct precision strikes globally.
The B-21 Raider is being developed as the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation penetrating strike stealth bomber capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons. The aircraft is expected to form the backbone of the future Air Force bomber fleet alongside upgraded B-52 bombers.
According to the U.S. Air Force, the aircraft is designed to operate in advanced threat environments and will support long-range strike missions, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, electronic attack and communications functions. The bomber is also being designed to support both manned and unmanned operations and employ a mix of stand-off and direct-attack weapons.
Northrop Grumman said the B-21 demonstrated strong stealth performance during testing and incorporated low-observable technologies intended to improve survivability while reducing maintenance demands compared with previous stealth aircraft. The company also stated that advanced fuel-efficient engines integrated into the aircraft’s airframe reduce dependence on aerial refuelling support more than earlier bombers.
The aircraft is being developed with an open systems architecture intended to simplify future modernisation and integration of new technologies as threats evolve. Northrop Grumman said the architecture would support seamless upgrades to mission systems and weapons capabilities throughout the aircraft’s service life.
The programme is managed by the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office under the direction of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Air Force. The Air Force awarded the B-21 engineering and manufacturing development contract to Northrop Grumman in October 2015.
Northrop Grumman’s industrial partners on the programme include Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, BAE Systems, Spirit AeroSystems, GKN Aerospace and Janicki Industries. Northrop Grumman said more than 8,000 company and Air Force personnel, together with over 400 suppliers across 40 U.S. states, are involved in the programme.
The company said it has invested more than US$5 billion in digital engineering and manufacturing infrastructure to accelerate B-21 production and future fleet growth. According to Northrop Grumman, software certification times have already been reduced by 50% through use of advanced digital tools and manufacturing technologies.
Northrop Grumman also stated that multiple B-21 aircraft are currently involved in flight testing and that most sorties are achieving “code one” status, indicating the aircraft returned ready for immediate further flight operations without maintenance issues. The company said ground testing has also exceeded digital modelling predictions in several mission conditions.
The U.S. Air Force expects to acquire at least 100 B-21 aircraft. The programme’s average procurement unit cost has been estimated at US$692 million in 2022 dollars, including aircraft production, support equipment, training and engineering costs.
The latest announcement follows another major testing milestone reached earlier this year involving aerial refuelling operations. On 14 April, the Department of the Air Force confirmed that the B-21 successfully completed aerial refuelling tests with a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at Edwards Air Force Base.
The aerial refuelling test validated the bomber’s ability to extend its operational range during long-distance missions. Northrop Grumman said test pilots reported high levels of aircraft stability and control during refuelling operations, reducing training demands and increasing operational tempo.
Stephen L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, said the successful refuelling test confirmed the aircraft’s intended operational capability, according to the report. The Air Force described the event as a critical validation milestone rather than a routine procedure.
The B-21 Raider is named in honour of the Doolittle Raiders, the U.S. Army Air Forces personnel who carried out the April 1942 air raid against Japan during the Second World War. The designation “B-21” reflects the aircraft’s role as the first bomber developed specifically for the 21st century.
The U.S. Air Force selected Ellsworth Air Force Base, Whiteman Air Force Base and Dyess Air Force Base as the future main operating bases for the aircraft. Tinker Air Force Base will support depot planning and sustainment operations for the programme.
