Pentagon Puts B-21 and NGAD in 'Turbo Mode'

The B-21 Raider's acceleration is backed by a $4.5 billion agreement between the Air Force and Northrop Grumman to increase production capacity by 25%. This funding was authorized under fiscal year 2025 reconciliation legislation. The move is intended to compress delivery timelines, with the first operational aircraft still slated to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027. This production ramp-up for the B-21, which has an estimated average unit procurement cost of $692 million, is seen as a vote of confidence in the program's performance during flight tests. Gen. Dale R. White, the director for Critical Major Weapon Systems, stated the decision reflects confidence in both the program and the stability of the industrial base. The Air Force plans to acquire at least 100 of the new bombers. The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform, officially designated the F-47, is being developed by Boeing after a contract was awarded in March 2025. The program aims for a first flight in 2028 and is projected to replace the F-22 Raptor. The estimated cost for each F-47 is around $300 million. The NGAD is envisioned as a "family of systems," not just a single aircraft. This includes plans for more than 1,000 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), or drone wingmen, which would fly alongside the crewed F-47 and F-35s. The Air Force is budgeting billions for the overall NGAD initiative, with significant funds allocated specifically for CCA development. The B-21 is designed with an open systems architecture, which is intended to allow for rapid technology upgrades and integration, including advanced sensors and artificial intelligence. There is speculation that the B-21's capabilities could allow it to take on roles originally envisioned for the NGAD, potentially acting as a "mothership" for drones or even being used in an air-to-air capacity. Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter has emphasized that the B-21 flight test program is proceeding well and is on track. The use of digital engineering has been a key factor in the program's progress, reportedly reducing software certification time by 50%. This digital approach is a cornerstone of the strategy to modernize and accelerate the acquisition process. Both the B-21 and NGAD programs are central to the Air Force's modernization efforts, designed to counter threats from near-peer adversaries. The acceleration of these programs signals a significant push to recapitalize the force with sixth-generation capabilities. This includes not only the advanced aircraft themselves but also the networked, data-driven command and control architecture they will operate within.