WASHINGTON \u2014 The US Air Force’s new B-21 bomber stealthily hit a milestone recently, wrapping up its preliminary design review.
Since then, however, news about the B-21 has been thin on the ground as the Air Force tries to protect any information about the bomber\u2019s design and development from leaking out into the press\u00a0\u2014\u00a0or to potential adversaries\u2019 hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The service has not disclosed the total value of the contract awarded to Northrop, but it estimates the aircraft will cost about $550 million per copy. Last year, Randall Walden, who heads the office charged with acquiring the Raider, said the company is on track to beat that number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The first aircraft are projected to go into service in the mid 2020s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In February, Defense News reported that the Raider will likely receive its stealth coating at the same “Air Force Plant 42” facility in Palmdale, California, that is used for the B-2\u2019s final checkout and stealth coating repairs. Northrop received a $35.8 million contract modification in January for construction of a new 45,900 square foot coatings facility at that location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walden in June also mentioned that Northrop was hiring personnel at its Melbourne, Florida, location to work on the bomber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aaron Mehta contributed to this report.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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