Unveiling the Future: Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force Launch the Revolutionary B-21 Raider, a Leap into Sixth-Generation Aviation

Today, Northrop Grumman Corporation together with the U.S. Air Force introduced the B-21 Raider to the public. The B-21 becomes part of the nuclear triad as a visible and adaptable deterrent crafted for the U.S. Air Force to accomplish its most intricate missions.

“The Northrop Grumman team engineers and supplies innovations that propel advancements in science, gazes into the future while materializing it here and now,” stated Kathy Warden, chair, chief executive officer, and president of Northrop Grumman. “The B-21 Raider signifies a groundbreaking epoch in technology and reinforces America’s mission of fostering peace through deterrence.”

The B-21 Raider constitutes the foundation for the future of U.S. aerial strength, spearheading a robust array of systems that usher in a new era of capabilities and agility through the advanced synergy of data, sensors, and munitions. Its sixth-generation attributes encompass stealth, informational supremacy, and open architecture.

“The B-21 Raider serves as a testament to America’s persistent advantages in creativity and innovation. It exemplifies the Department’s long-standing devotion to cultivating cutting-edge capabilities that will bolster America’s capacity to deter aggression, both today and in the future. Fortifying and upholding U.S. deterrence is central to our National Defense Strategy,” remarked Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. “This bomber emerged from a solid foundation of bipartisan backing in Congress. Thanks to that support, we will soon pilot this aircraft, conduct tests, and progress to production.”

The B-21 is equipped for networking across the battlefield to various systems within all domains. Supported by a comprehensive digital ecosystem throughout its life cycle, the B-21 can swiftly adapt through rapid technological upgrades that introduce new abilities to surpass emerging threats.

“With the B-21, the U.S. Air Force will possess the capability to deter or neutralize threats globally,” proclaimed Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems. “The B-21 epitomizes how Northrop Grumman is at the forefront of digital transformation and engineering, subsequently providing enhanced value to our clients.”

The B-21 Raider is dedicated in memory of the Doolittle Raids during World War II; 80 airmen, led by Lt. Col. James “Jimmy” Doolittle, along with 16 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers embarked on a mission that altered the trajectory of World War II. The designation B-21 acknowledges the Raider as the foremost bomber of the 21st century.

Northrop Grumman stands as a tech enterprise committed to global security and human exploration. Our innovative solutions empower our clients with the capacities they require to connect, progress, and safeguard the U.S. and its allies. Driven by a common objective to resolve the most challenging dilemmas of our clients, our 90,000 personnel redefine possibilities daily.

Here are 10 essential facts about Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider:

1. Sixth Generation.

The B-21 Raider derives benefits from over three decades of advancements in strike and stealth technology. It represents the next phase of the Air Force strategic bomber fleet. Engineered with the latest in stealth technology, sophisticated networking capabilities, and an open systems architecture, the B-21 is fine-tuned for high-end threat scenarios. It will play a crucial part in assisting the Air Force in accomplishing its most complex operations.

2. Stealth.

Northrop Grumman consistently pushes the envelope of technology, utilizing innovative manufacturing techniques and materials to guarantee the B-21 will outmaneuver anti-access and area-denial systems it encounters.

3. Backbone of the Fleet.

The B-21 Raider serves as the backbone of the forthcoming U.S. aerial strength. The B-21 will offer a fresh era of capability and flexibility through the sophisticated integration of data, sensors, and munitions. Capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads, the B-21 is poised to be one of the most impactful aircraft in operation, employing a diverse array of stand-off and direct strike munitions.

4. A Digital Bomber.

The B-21 is a digital bomber. Northrop Grumman employs agile software development, advanced manufacturing processes, and digital engineering tools to mitigate production risks associated with the B-21 program while facilitating contemporary maintenance practices. Six B-21 Raiders are currently in various phases of final assembly and testing at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale, California.

5. Cloud Technology.

Northrop Grumman and the Air Force successfully showcased the transfer of B-21 ground systems data to a cloud-based environment. This demonstration entailed the development, deployment, and assessment of B-21 data, including the B-21 digital twin, to bolster B-21 operations and maintenance. This robust cloud-centric digital framework will lead to a more maintainable and sustainable aircraft with cost-effective infrastructure.

6. Open Architecture.

To adapt to the shifting threat landscape, the B-21 has been conceived from inception to enable rapid upgrades. Unlike earlier aircraft generations, the B-21 will not undergo block upgrades. New technologies, capabilities, and munitions will be seamlessly integrated through agile software enhancements and inherent hardware flexibility. This approach will ensure that the B-21 Raider remains poised to confront evolving threats for decades ahead.

7. A National Team.

Since the contract was awarded in 2015, Northrop Grumman has assembled a national team to design, test, and construct the world’s most advanced strike aircraft. The B-21 team consists of over 8,000 members from Northrop Grumman, industry collaborators, and the Air Force. This team includes more than 400 suppliers across 40 states.

8. Sustainment.

The priority of long-term operations and affordability of sustainment has been a focal point of the B-21 program since its inception. In collaboration with the Air Force, our group has prioritized maintainability as a vital requirement alongside stealth performance to ensure we drive more affordable and predictable operational and sustainment outcomes.

9. Global Reach.

The B-21 Raider is crucial to bolstering our nation’s strategic deterrence framework. Beyond its advanced long-range precision strike abilities that grant Combatant Commanders the capacity to threaten any target worldwide, it has also been crafted as the lead component of a broader systems family that delivers intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic attack, and multi-domain networking functionalities. In a volatile global security atmosphere, the B-21 will furnish the flexibility and deterrence essential to the security of the U.S. and its allies.

10. Raider.

The B-21 Raider is named to commemorate the Doolittle Raid of World War II, when 80 airmen, under the leadership of Lt. Col. James “Jimmy” Doolittle, along with 16 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, embarked on a mission that modified the trajectory of World War II. The actions of these 80 volunteers were pivotal in shifting momentum in the Pacific theater. This marked the raid as a catalyst for future advancements in U.S. air superiority from both land and sea. The valiant spirit of the Doolittle Raiders serves as the inspiration behind the name of the B-21 Raider.