B-21 Raider News

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF Seeks Next-Gen Penetrator to Replace MOP on B-2, Arm B-21

The U.S. Air Force has launched development of a successor to the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator to replace the B-2’s current bunker-busting munition and equip the forthcoming B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The new weapon aims to deliver enhanced underground penetration and precision on the next-generation platform.

2025-06-24T11:24:43.902845-07:00

Reuters

Northrop Grumman Faces Financial Hit from B-21 Raider Cost Overruns

2025-04-22T05:36:29.946189-07:00

Aviation Week

Serco Acquires Northrop Grumman's Training Services in $327M Deal

2025-01-30T05:01:24.535747-08:00

FlightGlobal

USAF Designates YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A as First Uncrewed Fighters

2025-03-03T16:52:54.843325-08:00

B-21 Raider News Timeline

The War Zone

USAF Seeks Next-Gen Penetrator to Replace MOP on B-2, Arm B-21 The U.S. Air Force has launched development of a successor to the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator to replace the B-2’s current bunker-busting munition and equip the forthcoming B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The new weapon aims to deliver enhanced underground penetration and precision on the next-generation platform.

2025-06-24T11:24:43.902845-07:00

USAF Seeks Next-Gen Penetrator to Replace MOP on B-2, Arm B-21

nationalsecurityjournal.org

Despite UAV Advances, B-21 Raider’s Manned Stealth Remains Central to US Deterrence As combat drones proliferate, the USAF’s next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber retains its edge for strategic strike and nuclear deterrence. Its human-piloted cockpit enables superior real-time decision-making (OODA loop) and mission flexibility that unmanned systems have yet to match.

2025-06-16T10:11:01.043681-07:00

Despite UAV Advances, B-21 Raider’s Manned Stealth Remains Central to US Deterrence

Air & Space Forces Mag

USAF Bombers Increase Combat Deployments as Demand Surges Regional combatant commanders have called for more US Air Force bomber units to rotate through combat missions, Air Force Gen. Thomas Bussiere said, as strike requirements escalate. The service is stepping up bomber sortie rates to meet growing operational demands across multiple theaters.

2025-06-09T18:34:58.574712-07:00

USAF Bombers Increase Combat Deployments as Demand Surges

Aviation Week

Northrop Grumman Presses USAF to Expedite B-21 Raider Production Northrop Grumman is urging the U.S. Air Force to boost both the production pace and total procurement of B-21 Raider stealth bombers. The request comes as the program moves from prototyping into low-rate initial production, with Northrop pressing for an expanded buy to sustain bomber force readiness.

2025-05-28T13:55:58.099149-07:00

Northrop Grumman Presses USAF to Expedite B-21 Raider Production

Air & Space Forces Mag

USAF Eyes Additional B-21 Raiders as Backup for B-52J Upgrade Risks Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin told Congress the Air Force could increase its B-21 Raider buy if technical or schedule issues plague the multi-year B-52J re-engining and modernization effort. The move highlights growing reliance on the next-generation stealth bomber to sustain bomber force readiness.

2025-05-21T14:42:14.540606-07:00

USAF Eyes Additional B-21 Raiders as Backup for B-52J Upgrade Risks

The Aviationist

USAF’s 412th Test Wing Chief on B-21 and F-47 Testing, AI Agents and YF-23 Brig. Gen. Anthony Wickert, commander of the USAF’s 412th Test Wing, detailed progress from initial flight tests of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and exploratory F-47 program to deploying AI agents for test planning, and reflected on lessons from the YF-23 prototype in his recent TALK4 Podcast interview.

2025-05-18T08:13:02.223429-07:00

USAF’s 412th Test Wing Chief on B-21 and F-47 Testing, AI Agents and YF-23

South China Morning Post

China’s J-36 Stealth Fighter Seen as Counter to B-21 in Taiwan Contingency A military magazine tied to a state shipbuilder warns China’s sixth-generation J-36 stealth fighter could enforce a 1,000 km denial zone from its coastline, potentially blunting the strike advantages of US B-21 stealth bombers in a Taiwan conflict scenario.

2025-05-05T03:14:50.541698-07:00

China’s J-36 Stealth Fighter Seen as Counter to B-21 in Taiwan Contingency

The War Zone

Northrop Grumman Faces $1 Billion Loss on B-21 Program Amid Production Challenges Northrop Grumman reports a substantial financial hit with a $1 billion loss on the B-21 Raider program, compounded by non-profitable expectations for the first five production lots. This financial strain highlights ongoing challenges in meeting production and profitability targets for next-generation stealth bombers.

2025-04-28T20:04:26.397926-07:00

Northrop Grumman Faces $1 Billion Loss on B-21 Program Amid Production Challenges

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Our B-21 Raider news feed is the definitive source for information on the United States' next-generation stealth bomber. Keep up with the latest on its design, development, and testing as this highly anticipated aircraft progresses towards transforming the future capabilities of long-range strike operations for the U.S. Air Force.