Aircraft & UAVs

B-21 Raider

The B-21 Raider is a U.S. Air Force stealth strategic bomber developed by Northrop Grumman for long-range conventional and nuclear strike. It is the first new U.S. bomber of the 21st century, is designed around open systems architecture, and is intended to anchor the future Air Force bomber force.

Various ConflictsUnspecified

B-21 Raider, Stealth strategic bomber, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: B-21 Raider landing at Edwards Air Force Base

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Northrop Grumman
Type: Stealth strategic bomber
Service note: 2010s-present development and flight test
Designer: Northrop Grumman
Designed: 2011-2015
Produced: 2015-present

Also Known As

Long Range Strike Bomber
LRS-B

stealth strategic bomber long-range strike nuclear

Specifications

Role: Dual-capable penetrating strike stealth bomber
Armament: Conventional and nuclear munitions, including stand-off and direct-attack weapons
Architecture: Open systems architecture for future modernization
Operations: Designed to accommodate manned or unmanned operations
Program role: Backbone of the future Air Force bomber force

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Flight testing and low-rate initial production are underway; the Air Force expects the first operational aircraft to arrive in the late 2020s.
Used by: United States Air Force

Conflict Usage

Side: Unspecified

Public sources document the B-21 as a U.S. stealth bomber in flight test and low-rate initial production, but they do not yet establish combat use in a named conflict. The catalog keeps this record in Various Conflicts until direct conflict evidence appears.

Timeline

B-21 Raider Key Events

Oct 27, 2015
Engineering and manufacturing development contract
The Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman the B-21 engineering and manufacturing development contract, formally launching the program's development phase.
Sources: B-21 Raider
Dec 2, 2022
Public unveiling in Palmdale
The Pentagon publicly unveiled the B-21 Raider at Northrop Grumman's Palmdale manufacturing facility, showing the bomber to the public for the first time.
Sources: World Gets First Look at B-21 Raider
Nov 10, 2023
First flight
Reporting from Air & Space Forces Magazine documents the B-21's first flight from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force Base on Nov. 10, 2023.
Sources: B-21 Raider Archives
Sep 11, 2025
Second test aircraft joins flight testing
The Air Force announced that a second B-21 test aircraft arrived at Edwards Air Force Base and joined the flight-test campaign.
Sources: US Air Force announces arrival of second B-21 test aircraft at Edwards AFB

B-21 Raider Images

B-21 Raider, Stealth strategic bomber, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: B-21 in flight

B-21 Raider, Stealth strategic bomber, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: B-21 Raider conducts aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker

B-21 Raider, Stealth strategic bomber, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3 — Source: B-21 Raider second production close-up

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Sources

B-21 RaiderPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the B-21 mission, contract award date, open systems architecture, manned-or-unmanned design, bomber-force role, and general background. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 B-21 Raider | Northrop GrummanPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports manufacturer background, sixth-generation framing, long-range strike role, and stealth-focused product description. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 World Gets First Look at B-21 RaiderPublisher: U.S. Department of War | Note: Supports the 2022 public unveiling, bomber role, and background context for the first new strategic bomber in more than three decades. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 B-21 Raider continues flight test, productionPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports ongoing flight-test and low-rate initial production context in 2024, including the program's modernization and delivery timeline. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 US Air Force announces arrival of second B-21 test aircraft at Edwards AFBPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the 2025 second test-aircraft arrival, continued flight testing, low-rate initial production context, and the catalog's decision to keep the weapon in Various Conflicts rather than assign a named combat theater. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 B-21 Raider ArchivesPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports the first-flight timeline and production context reported for the B-21 program. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 B-21 Raider landing at Edwards Air Force BasePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for the hero image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 B-21 in flightPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for the in-flight gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 B-21 Raider conducts aerial refueling with a KC-135 StratotankerPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for the aerial-refueling gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 B-21 Raider second production close-upPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for the close-up gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26