Tom Jones, Corporate Vice President and President of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, emphasized the program’s success, stating, “Northrop Grumman’s decision to build the test jets on the actual production line is one example of the program strategy that’s paying dividends. We entered Production Lot 2 in Q4 of 2024, with a B-21 workforce that’s come down the learning curve earlier in production. Not only have we learned how to build B-21, we’re learning how to build B-21 better and at scale—optimizing several areas of the build for long-term efficiency and affordability.”
B-21: A High-Performing Aircraft for the FutureThe B-21 is not just a bomber, but an adaptable solution for evolving threats. Early in the design phase, the B-21 digital ecosystem empowered engineers to conduct agile testing on production hardware and software. This ecosystem allowed for over 200 test sorties and more than 1,000 flight hours, testing production hardware, software, and sensors in dynamic environments, well before the aircraft took to the sky.
This innovative approach has led to significant improvements in efficiency. Northrop Grumman has reduced software certification time in the lab by 50%, and flight test teams are now able to validate aircraft performance in real time, eliminating lengthy post-mission processing. “As a result of Northrop Grumman’s innovative technologies and diligent execution, we only had to make one software change through the first year of flight testing – a testament to the early risk-reduction work performed by our teams,” said Jones.
Northrop Grumman has invested more than $2 billion in infrastructure and development to enhance the B-21 program's digital ecosystem. This investment ensures that the entire B-21 team has access to a single source of truth throughout the design and build processes. On the production floor, digital technology has streamlined configuration management, reducing manufacturing hours by approximately one-third in some areas.The company has also integrated augmented reality, advanced robotics, and artificial intelligence to drive efficiency and quality in production. By leveraging commercially available technologies within a secure environment, Northrop Grumman has developed highly sophisticated manufacturing facilities that are scaling up to meet B-21’s production needs.
Sustainability and Operational EfficiencyThe B-21 is designed to be a daily flyer, requiring minimal maintenance between missions. The integration of the Highly Immersive Virtual Environment (HIVE) allows engineers to visualize sustainment tasks, informing the aircraft’s design for greater affordability and operational support. Already, the Combined Test Force (CTF) has successfully conducted multiple test flights within a single week, a promising early indicator for the aircraft’s operational future.
Jones concluded, “The more we test and analyze performance, the greater our confidence that there is no single system better positioned to deliver peace through strength for the American warfighter than B-21.”
With its innovative digital technologies, advanced manufacturing processes, and ability to meet affordability targets, the B-21 is set to play a pivotal role in addressing future threats. More than just a bomber, the B-21 can function as a force multiplier within a broader family of systems, leveraging offboard sensors and platforms to enhance mission success.
As production and testing continue, Northrop Grumman remains confident that the B-21 Raider will meet both cost and technical performance expectations, setting a new standard for efficiency and capability in military aviation.
Source: Northrop Grumman