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News | April 14, 2026

B-21 Raider accelerates delivery of long-range strike capability

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)  –  

The B-21 Raider program continues to accelerate the delivery of long-range strike capability, with aerial refueling via a KC-135 Stratotanker demonstrating the rapid maturation of the weapon system. The program’s progress exemplifies the principles of the Department of the Air Force's transformed acquisition approach, which is focused on delivering integrated warfighting capability at speed.

A U.S. Air Force B-21 Raider conducts aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker. This is a key part of a rigorous test campaign to mature the systems required for survivable, long-range, penetrating strike. The ability to refuel in-flight is fundamental to the Raider’s role in projecting power globally and provides combatant commanders with the flexible options needed to deliver decisive effects anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo)
A B-21 Raider conducts aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker. This is a key part of a rigorous test campaign to mature the systems required for survivable, long-range, penetrating strike. The ability to refuel in-flight is fundamental to the Raider’s role in projecting power globally and provides combatant commanders with the flexible options needed to deliver decisive effects anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo)
A U.S. Air Force B-21 Raider conducts aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker. This is a key part of a rigorous test campaign to mature the systems required for survivable, long-range, penetrating strike. The ability to refuel in-flight is fundamental to the Raider’s role in projecting power globally and provides combatant commanders with the flexible options needed to deliver decisive effects anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo)
A B-21 Raider conducts aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker. This is a key part of a rigorous test campaign to mature the systems required for survivable, long-range, penetrating strike. The ability to refuel in-flight is fundamental to the Raider’s role in projecting power globally and provides combatant commanders with the flexible options needed to deliver decisive effects anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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"The B-21 program is the leading edge of the acquisition mindset we are instilling across the force. Every test proves the success of empowering our leaders to deliver integrated capability from the start," said Gen. Dale White, Department of War direct reporting portfolio manager for critical major weapon systems. "The program's use of digital engineering and modern production processes is delivering a mature, highly capable system, giving us confidence as we continue to smartly scale our production capacity at the speed of relevance."

This operational flexibility is further enhanced by the aircraft’s design. As the most fuel-efficient bomber ever built, the B-21 consumes a fraction of the fuel used by legacy aircraft. This significantly reduces demand for theater tanker logistics and provides commanders with greater flexibility in force packaging.

"The B-21's fuel efficiency is one of the core components of its lethality” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “This long-range strike bomber will reduce the demand on our tanker fleet and free up assets to support the joint force. This will provide a wider range of employment options and the deterrence our nation requires."

The ability to refuel in-flight is fundamental to the B-21's role in projecting power globally, assuring allies and partners, and providing combatant commanders with flexible options to deliver decisive effects anywhere in the world.

“For our bomber crews and the combatant commanders they support, this is about endurance and mission readiness,” said Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. “This capability ensures we can deliver penetrating long-range strike anywhere in the world, at any time. We are strengthening the capabilities of our bomber force and putting a highly effective and lethal weapon system into the hands of our warfighters.”

Aligned with the National Defense Strategy, the B-21 is designed for the high-end threat environment and will deliver a mix of conventional and nuclear munitions, serving as a visible and flexible component of the nuclear triad. Its open systems architecture allows for rapid integration of future capabilities, ensuring the platform remains adaptable and dominant as the threat environment evolves.

The ongoing test and evaluation program at Edwards Air Force Base, California—a collaborative effort between the Air Force Test Center, the 412th Test Wing, and our industry partner, Northrop Grumman—continues to reduce risk and mature the B-21 weapon system, moving it closer to operational service.