Northrop Grumman hopes its efforts to accelerate B-21 Raider production will encourage the U.S. Air Force to consider a larger fleet of the advanced stealth bomber.
The United States Air Force has returned a B-1B Lancer bomber to operational service months ahead of schedule following a major structural repair carried out at Wichita State University National Institute for Aviation Research in Kansas.
The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider has completed a planned 180-day U.S. Air Force testing cycle in just 73 days, according to Northrop Grumman.
The U.S. Air Force is preparing to examine future options for long-range strike aircraft beyond the B-52 Stratofortress, according to fiscal 2027 budget documents.
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber previously stored in the Arizona desert has returned to operational service following an extensive regeneration and depot maintenance programme led by the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex at Tinker Air Force Base.
The U.S. Air Force has completed the Critical Design Review for the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program, marking a key step toward the B-52J upgrade.
Australia should consider acquiring next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bombers from the United States as a potential interim capability under AUKUS.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on April 30 that the Pentagon may need significantly more than 100 B-21 Raider stealth bombers.
Northrop Grumman said its B-21 Raider bomber has successfully demonstrated aerial refueling as part of its ongoing flight test campaign.
![B-2 Spirit stealth bombers fly 36-hour mission to strike underground IRGC command site in Iran [VIDEO]](https://defence-industry.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/b-2-spirit-stealth-bombers-fly-36-hour-mission-to-strike-underground-irgc-command-site-in-iran-video-300x200.jpeg)
B-2 Spirit stealth bombers conducted a 36-hour nonstop mission to strike an underground site in Iran, according to a U.S. official cited by Military Times.
Three additional B-1B Lancer bombers arrived at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom on March 26, increasing the total number of U.S. bombers at the base to 21.
U.S. defense officials are considering establishing a second production line for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber as part of efforts to accelerate output and expand the fleet.
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