U.S. Air Force Considers ‘Expanded’ Role for B-21 Raider Amid NGAD Review | Aviation

As part of the review of its future air superiority concept, the U.S. Air Force is evaluating a larger role for the B-21 Raider. The size of the fleet on order, however, is set to stay at 100 aircraft, at least for the time being and until the ongoing review of the NGAD continues.

Amid a review of the technically complex and astronomically pricey sixth generation NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance), the U.S. Air Force is considering an expanded role for the B-21 Raider. U.S. Air Force chief General David Allvin’s comments to journalists during the Military Reporters and Editors conference on Oct. 25, 2024, suggested what could be translated as new air dominance and air-to-air missions for the Raider.

The Northrop Grumman-developed strategic bomber, meant to replace the B-2 Spirit and the B-1B Lancer, has also been described as the world’s first sixth generation aircraft. The service has announced it would order 100 units of the B-21, with various estimates putting the price tag over $780 million per aircraft. In June, Northrop Grumman and the government negotiated a “not-to-exceed” price for the additional 19 aircraft, which is more than the average unit price of the first five LRIP (Low-Rate Initial Production) lot of 21 aircraft.

The NGAD, considered a replacement for the F-22, is usually described as a “family of systems,” including the crewed aircraft as…