USAF Prepares B‑21 Raider for 2027 Deployment

The Northrop Grumman B‑21 Raider is the United States Air Force’s next‑generation stealth bomber, designed for both conventional and nuclear missions in contested airspace and integrated air defense networks. The aircraft will enter active duty in 2027, with its first operational units based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. From there, the Raiders will form the core of a new bomber force, expanding the USAF’s long‑range strategic capabilities. The move signals a shift toward a more flexible, high‑penetration strike platform that can operate in complex, high‑intensity environments while maintaining low observability.