US Air Force: B-21 Raider to operate with two-pilot crew configuration

The U.S. Air Force announced Thursday that its B-21 Raider will operate with a two-pilot crew.

The service determined that a two-pilot configuration would best suit the country’s newest long-range strike bomber’s “mission profile,” according to the release.

Pilot Transition Program

The Air Force is also establishing a pilot transition program for select weapons system officers (WSOs) and combat systems officers (CSOs). Eligible officers will be chosen to attend the program, with a follow-on assignment to the B-21.

“To maximize the lethality and survivability of the Raider, it is imperative to retain the deep tactical and combat experience currently residing within the WSO and CSO communities,” the statement said.

When available, eligible airmen will receive relevant information through command channels, per the release.

“This deliberate talent management strategy secures the future of global strike capabilities, ensuring the Air Force remains postured to execute extended-duration, long-range strike missions in highly contested environments,” the release stated.

Aircraft Development and Production

• The service’s first B-21 took flight in 2023 in Palmdale, California, where Northrop Grumman has been developing and testing the aircraft.
• The Air Force plans to build at least 100 B-21s in variants with and without pilots.
• The Raider is the nation’s first new bomber aircraft in more than 30 years.
• It is part of the Pentagon’s effort to modernize its nuclear triad amid growing threats, including China’s military modernization.

In February, Northrop Grumman and the Air Force announced they were accelerating annual production capacity by 25%. Deliveries for the Raider began in 2025, a year following its contract award.

Operational Timeline

• The first operational B-21 is slated to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in 2027.
• The production increase will begin gradually, with the expected full production rate of seven aircraft per year.

Replacement and Crew Comparison

The B-21 Raider is intended to replace the aging B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit fleets, which have been in service since 1986 and 1997, respectively.

• The B-1B requires a crew of four.
• The B-2 requires a crew of two, matching the B-21’s configuration.

About the Author

Cristina Stassis is a reporter covering the defense industry, national security, military and veteran affairs, and related topics. She previously worked as an editorial fellow for Defense News in 2024, where she assisted the newsroom in breaking news across Sightline Media Group.