Why Northrop Grumman Must Accelerate B-21 Raider Production Before The USAF Can Hit Its 100-Bomber Target

While the first example of the new Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider has already taken flight, marking history as the world’s first sixth-generation stealth bomber, the US Air Force is pushing to begin replacing legacy airframes en masse as soon as possible. The USAF is completely retiring the Rockwell B-1 Lancer fleet of 45 jets to make way for the new B-21 flying wings and wants to phase out the 19 B-2 Spirits soon after them. The initial order for the Raiders is slated for 100 planes, but there is already talk that the Air Force could increase that number to 200.