U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman Break Ground on New B-21 Raider Final Assembly Line
The expansion supports a 25% production increase as Northrop says more than 400 suppliers in at least 40 states back the program.
- On September 29, 2026, the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman broke ground on a new final assembly line for the B-21 Raider at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California.
- Following a February agreement to increase annual B-21 production capacity by 25 percent, the construction is funded by $4.5 billion from 2025 reconciliation legislation.
- Northrop is investing $2.5 billion of its own funds, including about $200 million in 2026, while the expansion adds more than 1 million square feet of production facilities.
- Flight testing continues at Edwards Air Force Base, with the first operational B-21 on track to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in 2027.
- While the official requirement is for at least 100 bombers, Air Force leadership has indicated potential for a larger buy, with specifics expected in the 2028 budget request in spring 2027.
24 Articles
24 Articles
U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman Break Ground on New B-21 Raider Final Assembly Line
The new final assembly line will support a planned 25% increase in annual B-21 production capacity as the U.S. Air Force prepares receive the first operational Raiders in 2027. The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman have broken ground on a new final assembly line for the B-21 Raider at Air Force Plant 42 in […]
The B-21 program now has a million square feet of expansion space
On September 29, the US Air Force and Northrop Grumman launched construction of new production facilities at Plant 42 in Palmdale,California. This will add about 1 million square feet to the area where B-21 Raider bombers are already being...
The US Air Force Wants 100 Northrop Grumman B-21 Raiders at $700 Million Each. It Probably Needs 300 Stealth Bombers
Northrop Grumman and the Air Force are adding 1 million square feet and a new final assembly line to the B-21 Raider complex at Plant 42 in Palmdale, backed by $4.5 billion from Congress and $2.5 billion of Northrop’s own money, to lift annual production 25 percent ahead of the bomber’s 2027 service debut. What the roughly $7 billion does not buy is a bigger fleet: the Air Force is still planning on 100 Raiders at about $700 million each, with t…
Sixth-gen bomber's production: US firm breaks ground on new facility
The B-21 Raider is a long-range, penetrating strike aircraft designed to operate in highly contested environments. It integrates advanced stealth, resilient networking and modern, data-driven command.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
