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FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

USAF injects $4.5B to boost B-21 production by 25%; first Raider due at Ellsworth AFB in 2027

The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman are accelerating B-21 Raider production with a $4.5 billion investment to expand capacity by about 25%, aiming to speed deliveries and place the first operational bomber at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027.

2026-02-23T22:00:38.274005-08:00

The War Zone

USAF breaks ground on Sentinel prototype silo as IOC slips and warhead count remains unclear

2026-02-25T13:55:19.307442-08:00

Bloomberg

Pentagon to spend $12.6B to boost surveillance of China’s submarines and satellites

2026-02-25T09:13:32.750103-08:00

Wall Street Journal

How the Air Force built the ERAM cruise missile in 16 months — a case for faster, cheaper procurement

2026-02-25T16:32:29.747104-08:00

News Timeline

Wall Street Journal

How the Air Force built the ERAM cruise missile in 16 months — a case for faster, cheaper procurement The Air Force developed the ERAM cruise missile in 16 months, the author argues, demonstrating how streamlined acquisition methods can accelerate fielding of affordable standoff munitions. The piece makes a case for adopting similar tight timelines and cost‑controls across defense procurement.

2026-02-25T16:32:29.747104-08:00

How the Air Force built the ERAM cruise missile in 16 months — a case for faster, cheaper procurement

The War Zone

USAF breaks ground on Sentinel prototype silo as IOC slips and warhead count remains unclear On Feb. 13 the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman broke ground on a prototype silo for the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM while the program's initial operational capability has slipped to the early 2030s and the planned warhead count remains unclear. Those timeline and loadout uncertainties alter deterrence and acquisition decisions.

2026-02-25T13:55:19.307442-08:00

USAF breaks ground on Sentinel prototype silo as IOC slips and warhead count remains unclear

SpaceNews.com

'Golden Dome' Will Require Unprecedented Coordination Across U.S. Combatant Commands The Pentagon's Golden Dome missile‑defense concept will force new operational and acquisition linkages across U.S. combatant commands, requiring synchronized planning, shared data and effects management, and revised command relationships to field a layered, cross‑domain air‑and‑missile defense architecture.

2026-02-25T13:37:22.358572-08:00

'Golden Dome' Will Require Unprecedented Coordination Across U.S. Combatant Commands

Bloomberg

Pentagon to spend $12.6B to boost surveillance of China’s submarines and satellites The Pentagon plans to spend an additional $12.6 billion to boost surveillance of China’s military maneuvers, focusing on tracking submarines, maritime activity and satellites. The funding, outlined in a budget document sent to Congress, is framed as a response to an 'unprecedented Chinese military buildup' in Asia.

2026-02-25T09:13:32.750103-08:00

Pentagon to spend $12.6B to boost surveillance of China’s submarines and satellites

SpaceNews.com

A banner year for military space funding — an unclear path beyond Military space programs secured a banner year of budget increases, driving accelerated procurement, new programs and stronger industrial demand. Lawmakers and defense planners face uncertainty over whether higher spending is sustainable, raising questions about procurement timelines, follow-on funding and long-term strategy.

2026-02-24T14:53:22.248904-08:00

A banner year for military space funding — an unclear path beyond

FlightGlobal

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USAF injects $4.5B to boost B-21 production by 25%; first Raider due at Ellsworth AFB in 2027 The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman are accelerating B-21 Raider production with a $4.5 billion investment to expand capacity by about 25%, aiming to speed deliveries and place the first operational bomber at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027.

2026-02-23T22:00:38.274005-08:00

USAF injects $4.5B to boost B-21 production by 25%; first Raider due at Ellsworth AFB in 2027

SpaceNews.com

Meink and Saltzman push to expand U.S. Space Force Rep. Meink and Sen. Saltzman laid out a public case for expanding the U.S. Space Force, urging broader authorities, missions and resources to meet strategic challenges in space. Their push frames current congressional debates over acquisition, funding and service roles.

2026-02-23T17:17:35.491748-08:00

Meink and Saltzman push to expand U.S. Space Force

Bloomberg

Pentagon pours $750M into F/A‑XX, reigniting Boeing–Northrop race to build Navy's sixth‑generation carrier fighter The Pentagon has allocated $750 million to accelerate development of the Navy's F/A‑XX, a next‑generation, carrier‑based stealth fighter intended to replace the Super Hornet. The funding restarts a competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman to advance early design and prototyping work.

2026-02-23T16:13:17.493865-08:00

Pentagon pours $750M into F/A‑XX, reigniting Boeing–Northrop race to build Navy's sixth‑generation carrier fighter

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Defense Budgets & Spending News

USAF injects $4.5B to boost B-21 production by 25%; first Raider due at Ellsworth AFB in 2027

USAF breaks ground on Sentinel prototype silo as IOC slips and warhead count remains unclear

Pentagon to spend $12.6B to boost surveillance of China’s submarines and satellites

How the Air Force built the ERAM cruise missile in 16 months — a case for faster, cheaper procurement

News Timeline