U.S. Air Force Begins B-21 Raider Operational Prep at Ellsworth AFB
The U.S. Air Force has accepted the first B-21 Raider facilities at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, marking a shift from development to deployment. Two specialized maintenance buildings, part of a $2 billion modernization, are completed. The B-21, a nuclear-capable stealth bomber with a two-pilot crew, will replace B-1 and B-2 bombers. At least 100 aircraft are planned, with first operational units expected by 2027, focusing on Indo-Pacific operations.
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USAF Decides B-21 Raider Will Be Flown by Two Pilots, Not One
The U.S. Air Force has formally decided that the B-21 Raider stealth bomber will be operated by a standard crew of two pilots, mirroring the B-2 Spirit. This reverses earlier considerations of a single-pilot configuration with a weapon systems officer (WSO). The Air Force will transition select WSOs and combat systems officers (CSOs) into B-21 pilots through a new training program. The decision aims to retain tactical and combat experience within the bomber community. The B-21 remains in development, with initial fielding planned for 2025 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. The Air Force intends to acquire at least 100 B-21s, with a more precise figure expected next year. The two-pilot setup also allows for crew rest on long-duration missions, similar to the B-2.
TWZUSAF Decides B-21 Raider Will Be Flown by Two Pilots, Not One Pilot and a WSO
The U.S. Air Force has formally decided that the B-21 Raider stealth bomber will be operated by a crew of two pilots, similar to the B-2 Spirit. This reverses earlier considerations of a single pilot paired with a weapon systems officer (WSO). The decision, announced after analysis of the B-21's advanced capabilities, aims to retain deep tactical experience from the WSO and combat systems officer (CSO) communities. The Air Force will establish a pilot transition program for selected WSOs and CSOs to attend pilot training and then fly the B-21. The first pre-production B-21 was flown by an operational test pilot in June. Fielding of the bombers is expected to begin next year at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, with a planned fleet of at least 100 aircraft. Air Force Global Strike Command head Gen. Stephen Davis noted the B-21 will have rest facilities for long-duration missions, similar to the B-2.
TWZUSAF Decides B-21 Raider Will Be Flown by Two Pilots, Not One
The U.S. Air Force has formally decided that the B-21 Raider stealth bomber will be operated by a crew of two pilots, rejecting earlier proposals for a single-pilot configuration with a weapon systems officer (WSO). The decision, announced after analysis of the aircraft's advanced capabilities, aims to maximize lethality and survivability by retaining deep tactical experience from the WSO and combat systems officer (CSO) communities. The Air Force will establish a pilot transition program for selected WSOs and CSOs to attend pilot training and then fly the B-21. The Raider remains in development, with fielding expected next year at Ellsworth Air Force Base. The service plans to acquire at least 100 B-21s, with a more precise figure expected next year. The two-pilot setup mirrors the B-2 Spirit's crew complement and allows for rest during long missions.
TWZB-21 Raider to operate with two-pilot crew configuration
The U.S. Air Force announced on July 10, 2026, that its new B-21 Raider long-range strike bomber will operate with a two-pilot crew, matching the B-2 Spirit's configuration and replacing the four-person crew of the B-1B Lancer. The service is creating a pilot transition program for weapons system officers (WSOs) and combat systems officers (CSOs) to retain tactical experience. The B-21 first flew in 2023, and production is being accelerated by 25% with a target of seven aircraft per year. Deliveries began in 2025, and the first operational bomber is scheduled to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in 2027. The program aims to modernize the U.S. nuclear triad amid growing threats from China.
Military TimesB-21 Raider to fly with two-pilot configuration
The U.S. Air Force announced that the B-21 Raider, its newest long-range strike bomber, will operate with a two-pilot crew, matching the B-2 Spirit's configuration and replacing the four-person crew of the B-1B Lancer. The service is creating a pilot transition program for weapons system officers (WSOs) and combat systems officers (CSOs) to retain tactical experience. The first B-21 test flight occurred in 2023, and production is being accelerated by 25%, with deliveries beginning in 2025. The first operational B-21 is expected at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in 2027. The Air Force plans to build at least 100 B-21s in both manned and unmanned variants as part of modernizing the nuclear triad amid rising threats from China.
Military TimesB-21 Raider to fly with two-pilot configuration
The U.S. Air Force announced on July 10, 2026, that its new B-21 Raider long-range strike bomber will operate with a two-pilot crew, matching the B-2 Spirit's configuration. The service is creating a pilot transition program for weapons system officers (WSOs) and combat systems officers (CSOs) to retain tactical experience. The B-21 first flew in 2023 in Palmdale, California, and production has been accelerated by 25%, with deliveries beginning in 2025. The first operational B-21 is expected at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in 2027. The Air Force plans to build at least 100 B-21s in both manned and unmanned variants to replace the aging B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit fleets. The program is part of the Pentagon's nuclear triad modernization amid growing threats from China.
Air Force TimesB-21 Raider to operate with two-pilot crew configuration
The U.S. Air Force announced on July 10, 2026, that its new B-21 Raider long-range strike bomber will operate with a two-pilot crew configuration, matching the B-2 Spirit's crew size and reducing from the B-1B Lancer's four-person crew. The service is creating a pilot transition program for weapons system officers (WSOs) and combat systems officers (CSOs) to retain tactical experience. The B-21, developed by Northrop Grumman, first flew in 2023 and production is being accelerated by 25% annually. Deliveries began in 2025, with the first operational aircraft expected at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in 2027. The Air Force plans to build at least 100 B-21s in both manned and unmanned variants to replace the aging B-1B and B-2 fleets as part of nuclear triad modernization amid rising threats from China.
Military TimesUS Air Force Accepts First B-21 Raider Facilities at Ellsworth AFB as Part of $2 Billion Modernization
The United States Air Force has formally accepted the first operational B-21 Raider facilities at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, marking a key transition from development to deployment. Two specialized maintenance buildings have been completed: a $161 million Low Observable Restoration Facility for maintaining radar-absorbing coatings, and an $81 million Wash Rack and Maintenance Hangar for routine upkeep. These are the first projects in a roughly $2 billion modernization effort to support the new stealth bomber. Ellsworth will host the B-21's first operational squadrons, a formal training unit, and a logistics hub, serving as a template for future bases at Whiteman AFB and Dyess AFB. The Air Force plans to procure at least 100 B-21s to replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit, operating alongside the modernized B-52J Stratofortress, with a focus on Indo-Pacific operations.
19FortyFiveUS Air Force Accepts First B-21 Raider Operational Facilities at Ellsworth AFB
The United States Air Force has formally accepted the first operational B-21 Raider facilities at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, marking a critical transition from development to deployment. Two specialized maintenance buildings have been completed: a $161 million Low Observable Restoration Facility for maintaining radar-absorbing coatings, and an $81 million Wash Rack and Maintenance Hangar for inspections and routine servicing. These are the first projects in a roughly $2 billion modernization effort to support the new stealth bomber. Ellsworth will host the B-21's first operational squadrons, a formal training unit, and a logistics hub, serving as the template for future bases at Whiteman AFB and Dyess AFB. The Air Force plans to procure at least 100 B-21 Raiders to replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit, operating alongside the modernized B-52J Stratofortress, with a focus on Indo-Pacific operations.
19FortyFiveUS Air Force Accepts First B-21 Raider Facilities at Ellsworth AFB as Part of $2 Billion Modernization
The United States Air Force has formally accepted the first operational B-21 Raider facilities at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, marking a shift from flight testing to operational fielding. Two specialized buildings have been completed: a $161 million Low Observable Restoration Facility for maintaining radar-absorbing coatings, and an $81 million Wash Rack and Maintenance Hangar for inspections and routine maintenance. These are the first projects in a roughly $2 billion modernization effort to support the new stealth bomber. Ellsworth will host the B-21's first squadrons, a formal training unit, and a logistics hub, serving as a template for future bases at Whiteman AFB and Dyess AFB. The Air Force plans to procure at least 100 B-21s to replace the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit, operating alongside the modernized B-52J Stratofortress, primarily for Indo-Pacific operations.
19FortyFiveU.S. Air Force Begins Operational Prep for B-21 Raider at Ellsworth Base
The U.S. Air Force has officially transitioned into the operational preparation phase for stationing the B-21 Raider stealth bomber at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. This step marks a significant milestone in the deployment of the next-generation long-range strike bomber, which is designed to replace aging B-1 and B-2 bombers. The B-21 Raider, built by Northrop Grumman, features advanced stealth technology and nuclear capability. Ellsworth AFB is set to become the first operational base to host the aircraft, with initial flight tests already underway. The announcement signals concrete progress in the Air Force's modernization and strategic deterrence efforts.
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