Air Force says two advanced stealthy aircraft are ahead of schedule, with first delivery set for 2027
The Air Force says its next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber program is ahead of schedule, with the first operational aircraft expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in 2027.The service's sixth-generation F-47 fighter is also progressing faster than expected, according to Gen. Dale White, director of Critical Major Weapon Systems, who discussed both programs during the Air Force's Life Cycle Industry Days conference in Dayton, Ohio.White said the B-21 acquisition program has accelerated by roughly 25% since a one-time $4.5 billion funding boost was included in the 2025 reconciliation bill.The comments provide one of the clearest public updates yet on the status of the Air Force's two flagship next-generation aircraft programs.AMERICA’S NEW STEALTH B-21 RAIDER TAKES NEXT STEP WITH SECOND BOMBER’S FIRST FLIGHTThe update comes months after the Air Force announced a second B-21 Raider joined flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, a milestone officials at the time said would accelerate testing and weapons integration for America's first new long-range bomber in more than three decades.White said the first operational B-21 is expected to be "on the ramp" at Ellsworth in 2027, with Northrop Grumman planning to eventually produce seven operational bombers annually.
Reported by 1 outlet — Fox News Latest. See all sources ↓
The Air Force says its next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber program is ahead of schedule, with the first operational aircraft expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in 2027.The service's sixth-generation F-47 fighter is also progressing faster than expected, according to Gen. Dale White, director of Critical Major Weapon Systems, who discussed both programs during the Air Force's Life Cycle Industry Days conference in Dayton, Ohio.White said the B-21 acquisition program has accelerated by roughly 25% since a one-time $4.5 billion funding boost was included in the 2025 reconciliation bill.The comments provide one of the clearest public updates yet on the status of the Air Force's two flagship next-generation aircraft programs.AMERICA’S NEW STEALTH B-21 RAIDER TAKES NEXT STEP WITH SECOND BOMBER’S FIRST FLIGHTThe update comes months after the Air Force announced a second B-21 Raider joined flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, a milestone officials at the time said would accelerate testing and weapons integration for America's first new long-range bomber in more than three decades.White said the first operational B-21 is expected to be "on the ramp" at Ellsworth in 2027, with Northrop Grumman planning to eventually produce seven operational bombers annually. The Pentagon has requested $6.1 billion for the B-21 program in its fiscal year 2027 budget proposal.Built by Northrop Grumman, the B-21 is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons while penetrating advanced enemy air defenses. The aircraft is expected to eventually replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit while operating alongside modernized B-52 Stratofortress bombers expected to remain in service into the middle of the century.
Read the full report at Fox News Latest ↗
Why it matters
A world story we're tracking; its significance and source trust firm up as more outlets confirm it.
- What's the story?
- The Air Force says its next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber program is ahead of schedule, with the first operational aircraft expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in 2027.The service's sixth-generation F-47 fighter is also progressing faster than expected, according to Gen. Dale White, director of Critical Major Weapon Systems, who discussed both programs during the Air Force's Life Cycle Industry Days conference in Dayton, Ohio.White said the B-21 acquisition program has accelerated by roughly 25% since a one-time $4.5 billion funding boost was included in the 2025 reconciliation bill.The comments provide one of the clearest public updates yet on the status of the Air Force's two flagship next-generation aircraft programs.AMERICA’S NEW STEALTH B-21 RAIDER TAKES NEXT STEP WITH SECOND BOMBER’S FIRST FLIGHTThe update comes months after the Air Force announced a second B-21 Raider joined flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, a milestone officials at the time said would accelerate testing and weapons integration for America's first new long-range bomber in more than three decades.White said the first operational B-21 is expected to be "on the ramp" at Ellsworth in 2027, with Northrop Grumman planning to eventually produce seven operational bombers annually.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 9m ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
Air Force says two advanced stealthy aircraft are ahead of schedule, with first delivery set for 2027
Sources1TypeCoverageFox News Latest