The contract details, including the total number of aircraft and financial terms, have not been made public. Northrop Grumman stated that the B-21A programme remains on schedule, progressing through key phases of production and development.
The first B-21A prototype completed its maiden flight in November 2023 and is currently undergoing testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The company has previously indicated that at least five additional aircraft are in final assembly at its Palmdale, California, facility. No official delivery schedule has been disclosed.
Northrop Grumman representatives also confirmed that discussions have taken place regarding a potential acceleration of production and delivery timelines. However, no decision on an increased production rate has been announced
The B-21A Raider is being developed as a replacement for the Rockwell B-1B Lancer and Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit bombers. It will operate alongside modernised Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, forming the backbone of the U.S. Air Force’s long-range strike capability.
The Pentagon has indicated plans to procure at least 100 B-21A aircraft, with an estimated unit cost of $692 million based on 2022 dollar values. The programme, awarded to Northrop Grumman in October 2015, involves several key industry partners, including Pratt & Whitney, Janicki Industries, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Spirit AeroSystems.
