Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force have broken ground on a new B-21 Raider assembly line. The expansion is expected to increase production capacity for the next-generation aircraft by 25%. It is part of a broader agreement to help the program meet the Air Force’s strategic requirements for its future bomber fleet.
The expansion is a step toward scaling the B-21 program from initial low-rate production to full-rate manufacturing. It is intended to support timely delivery of the stealth bombers, which are a cornerstone of future U.S. air defense capabilities.