US Air Force Accelerates B-21 and F-47 Aircraft Programs

The United States Air Force announced that its B-21 Raider stealth bomber and F-47 sixth-generation fighter programs are progressing ahead of schedule. Speaking at the Life Cycle Industry Days conference in Dayton, Ohio, Gen. Dale White stated that the B-21 acquisition program accelerated by approximately 25% after receiving a $4.5 billion funding boost in the 2025 reconciliation bill.

Northrop Grumman is producing the B-21, with the Air Force targeting a fleet of at least 100 aircraft. The first operational bomber is expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027. Meanwhile, the B-21 continues flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base.

Gen. White also described the planning for the Boeing-built F-47 fighter as having reached unprecedented maturity. The Air Force intends to acquire 185 F-47s to replace the F-22 Raptor as the primary air superiority fighter, with the first flight scheduled for 2028. To support these efforts, the Pentagon requested $6.1 billion for the B-21 and $5.03 billion for the F-47 in its fiscal year 2027 budget proposal.