Summary: The B-21 Raider, developed by Northrop Grumman, is set to revolutionize U.S. strategic bombing with its advanced stealth capabilities and deep-penetration strike capacity against high-value targets in near-peer adversaries like China and Russia.

-Despite initial costs estimated between $600 million and $700 million per unit, negotiations have reduced the price, though the exact figure remains classified.

-The B-21, unveiled less than two years ago, has several prototypes already in flight testing, with full-scale production approved.

-Designed for unparalleled efficiency, stealth, and maintainability, the B-21 will complement the B-52 Stratofortress, ensuring the U.S. maintains air superiority in future conflicts.

The B-21 Raider is the U.S. Air Force’s next strategic stealth bomber. The U.S. military hopes that the futuristic-looking aircraft will give it an edge in any potential near-peer conflict with Russia or China.

Lower, But Still High, Costs for B-21

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told the Senate Appropriations Committee that after negotiations with Northrop Grumman, the designer and manufacturer of the B-21 Raider, the cost per aircraft has dropped. However, the top Air Force official did not disclose the new price tag, citing the highly classified nature of the program.

In 2022, the Air Force was expecting a cost per unit of somewhere between $600 million and $700 million. This is an extremely high cost for a single aircraft, but the B-21 Raider promises to revolutionize strategic bombing missions. 

The aircraft is designed for deep-penetration strikes against near-peer air defense systems. Essentially, if the B-21 Raider lives up to its expectations, it would be able to deliver conventional and nuclear munitions on high-value targets within China and Russia, an extremely important capability to have in a potential conflict. Such capabilities don’t come cheap. 

It is likely that the cost per aircraft will drop as production gets underway – this happens with all weapons systems.

The B-21 Raider

The Air Force revealed the B-21 less than two years ago. The strategic stealth bomber has made strides since then, with several prototypes flying and thus gathering important test data for the production aircraft. The Pentagon has already greenlighted full-scale production of the Raider.

The Air Force and Northrop Grumman have been very careful not to reveal too much about the warplane’s capabilities, as it is a highly classified program. However, defense officials have offered a glimpse. For example, during the unveiling ceremony, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the following about the capabilities of the B-21: 

“Let's talk about the B-21's range. No other long-range bomber can match its efficiency. It won't need to be based in-theater. It won't need logistical support to hold any target at risk. Let's talk about the B-21's stealth. Fifty years of advances in low-observable technology have gone into this aircraft. And even the most sophisticated air-defense systems will struggle to detect a B-21 in the sky. Let's talk about the B-21's durability. You know, we really don't have a capability unless we can maintain it. And the B-21 is carefully designed to be the most maintainable bomber ever built,” Austin said. 

For the future, the Air Force envisions a strategic bomber fleet comprised of B-21 Raider and B-52 Stratofortress bombers. The B-21 will be designated for the most difficult, deep-penetration strikes against high-value targets, while the Stratofortress will be reserved for easier missions in a battlespace with better odds for the Air Force.

About the Author 

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

All images are Creative Commons.