On March 27 the Secretary of the Air Force, Heather A. Wilson, announced the service’s preferences for the three bases that will house the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider bomber when it reaches operational service in the mid-2020s. A final decision is expected in 2021 as part of the Air Force Strategic Basing Process and will follow evaluation of the basing plan’s compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory and planning processes.

Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota will be the first location to receive operational B-21s under the Air Force’s plan, and also the location of the formal training unit. It will be followed by Dyess AFB, Texas, and Whiteman AFB, Missouri. “These three bomber bases are well suited for the B-21," said Wilson. “We expect the first B-21 Raider to be delivered beginning in the mid-2020s, with subsequent deliveries phased across all three bases.” Raiders will be introduced in a process designed to minimize impact on mission readiness.

Using existing bomber bases maximizes reuse and reduces cost. Ellsworth is currently home to the Boeing B-1B Lancers of the 28th Bomb Wing and has the space and facilities necessary to build up B-21 capability in parallel to ongoing B-1B operations. Dyess houses the 7th Bomb Wing’s B-1Bs, while Whiteman is home to the 509th Bomb Wing’s Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirits.

The three bases fall under the control of Eighth Air Force, headquartered at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, which is also home to the Boeing B-52Hs of the 2nd Bomb Wing. 8th AF’s other major asset is the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota, which also flies B-52Hs. By the time that the Raider fleet reaches full operational capability, 8th AF will thus have three B-21 wings and two of B-52Hs, the latter expected to be in service until at least 2050. Eighth Air Force is the aircraft-operating element of Air Force Global Strike Command, which also parents the strategic missile forces of the 20th AF.

Last November the Air Force announced that Edwards AFB, California, would be the primary test site for the B-21, while Tinker AFB in Oklahoma would be the principal maintenance and sustainment center for the Raider, with additional servicing and support work being conducted at Robins AFB, Georgia, and Hill AFB, Utah.

At least 100 B-21s are being acquired to replace both B-1s and B-2s. “We are procuring the B-21 Raider as a long-range, highly survivable aircraft capable of penetrating enemy airspace with a mix of weapons,” said Air Force Chief of Staff, General David L. Goldfein. “It is a central part of a penetrating joint team.”

Despite the program being just six years away from its intended IOC (initial operational capability) of mid-2025, little has been released about the B-21 or its developmental progress. The contract was awarded in October 2015, and a preliminary design review was passed sometime in early 2017. Final assembly is expected to take place at Northrop Grumman’s facility at Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California—the same location as B-2 production. Power is to be provided by Pratt & Whitney engines, almost certainly a variant of the F135 that powers the Lockheed Martin F-35.