The U.S. Air Force has announced that its next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber and sixth-generation F-47 fighter programs are progressing ahead of schedule, with the first operational B-21 expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota by 2027, according to Gen. Dale White, director of Critical Major Weapon Systems. The Pentagon has requested $6.1 billion for the B-21 program in its fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, reflecting the accelerated timeline.
Gen. White confirmed during the Air Force’s Life Cycle Industry Days conference in Dayton, Ohio, that the B-21 acquisition program has accelerated by approximately 25% following a one-time $4.5 billion funding boost included in the 2025 reconciliation bill. The Air Force also noted that a second B-21 Raider recently joined flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, a milestone officials stated would expedite testing and weapons integration.
Northrop Grumman, the manufacturer of the B-21, plans to eventually produce seven operational bombers annually, with the Air Force aiming to acquire at least 100 B-21s. The aircraft is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons while penetrating advanced enemy air defenses. It is expected to replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers, operating alongside modernized B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, which are slated to remain in service into the middle of the century.
Regarding the F-47 fighter, Gen. White described its planning phase as reaching an “unprecedented maturity”, though specific details about its capabilities or deployment timeline were not disclosed. The F-47 is part of the Air Force’s sixth-generation fighter program, intended to succeed the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
The accelerated timelines for both programs come amid growing emphasis on modernizing the U.S. military’s long-range strike and air superiority capabilities. The B-21’s development has been marked by strict secrecy, with officials emphasizing its role in maintaining a technological edge over potential adversaries. The Air Force’s budget request for fiscal year 2027 underscores the priority placed on these next-generation systems, which are central to the service’s future force structure.