The U.S. Air Force is accelerating a nearly $2 billion transformation of Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, into the first B-21 Raider bomber operational base, preparing the U.S. stealth bomber for nuclear and long-range Indo-Pacific missions from the continental United States.
The activation of B-21 Integration Detachment 1 now places infrastructure, communications, training, sustainment, nuclear preparation and mission-system integration under a dedicated organization ahead of the first Raider deliveries planned for 2027.
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Airfield lights are powered on and tested during runway upgrades at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, on November 26, 2025, as the U.S. Air Force advances infrastructure work to prepare the base for the B-21 Raider’s first operational deployment in 2027. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War/Defense) |
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The B-21 Raider is the United States Air Force's advanced, sixth-generation, nuclear-capable stealth strategic bomber- The Air Force plans to procure a minimum of 100 aircraft, with a projected unit cost of roughly $700 million.
Built by Northrop Grumman, the aircraft is designed for deep-penetration missions into heavily defended, contested airspace.
Northrop Grumman officially opened the East Gate 3 manufacturing facility in Layton, Utah, to expand production infrastructure for the United States Air Force B-21 Raider stealth bomber program.
The 845,000-square-foot campus expansion supports simultaneous low-rate initial production and flight testing to accelerate aircraft delivery schedules.
- This industrial scaling is backed by federal funding increases designed to meet projected force requirements of at least 100 sixth-generation strategic aircraft.
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| Northrop Grumman opened East Gate 3 in Utah to expand its B-21 Raider manufacturing capacity as the U.S. Air Force funds a 25% production capacity increase and evaluates whether to expand the planned fleet beyond 100 aircraft. (Picture source: US Air Force) |
The B-21 Raider combines stealth beyond the B2 Spirit, lower cost for more units, less fuel consumption for longer range, and dual nuclear/conventional weapon capability.
The B-21 Raider completed a 6-month test program in 73 days, is already refueling in mid-air, and is heading to its first base by 2027.
Sep
11
The US Army awarded Northrop Grumman a $4.838 billion contract to sustain full-rate production of the CIRCM laser-based missile defense system through 2035. The agreement secures long-term protection for Army helicopters against infrared-guided missiles while supporting fleet expansion and future system upgrades.
Iran is deploying MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters from ships, including USS Boxer, to support maritime surveillance and interception.
The operation shows how distributed naval aviation and networked sensors are being used to enforce selective maritime denial across the Gulf while increasing pressure on commercial traffic and regional security.
- USS Boxer and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit provide an aviation and command node for the blockade, with MH-60R helicopters using the AN/APS-153 multimode radar, AAS-44C electro-optical system, and Link 16 connectivity to detect, classify, and track vessels beyond the radar horizon of surface ships.
- The resulting architecture allows U.S. forces to move from identification and warning to boarding or precision engagement while maintaining wider control of maritime traffic approaching Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz.
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| An MH-60R Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 launches from USS Boxer (LHD 4) during flight deck operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean on March 20, 2019 (Picture source: US DoD) |
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Sep
14
France has launched initial Rafale F5 development work to equip the fighter with a new radar, data links, electronic warfare systems, and increased engine thrust for contested-airspace operations. The programme will also prepare the aircraft for the ASN4G nuclear missile and collaborative missions with a future stealth combat drone. Dassault Aviation, MBDA, Safran and Thales are developing key F5 systems including the RBE2-XG radar, IVDL communications link, digital SPECTRA suite and M88 T-REX engine with 20 percent more maximum thrust. At least 47 Rafales are planned to reach the F5 standard by 2035, with qualification expected around 2033 before service with the French Air and Space Force and French Navy. Read more.
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Sep
14
Lockheed Martin is adding four Vectis prototypes, expanding the planned fleet to five aircraft ahead of first flight in 2027. The larger test fleet is intended to accelerate development, validate production methods, and position the platform for future Collaborative Combat Aircraft requirements.
Sep
14
The Oregon National Guard redesignated the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment as the 2nd Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, creating the state’s first mobile infantry battalion. The shift replaces a heavy armored role with a lighter force built around Infantry Squad Vehicles, unmanned systems, and dispersed operations.
Sep
14
Taiwan began flight tests of its first two MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAVs at Hualien Air Force Base, moving the aircraft from assembly into operational evaluation. The deployment expands Taiwan’s persistent maritime surveillance capacity and could improve tracking of Chinese naval and coast guard activity around the island.
Sep
14
US Special Operations Forces have established a five-year contracting vehicle with Sea Machines Robotics to field portable autonomy kits that can convert vessels of opportunity into remotely controlled or autonomous maritime platforms. The arrangement gives SOF a way to generate unmanned surveillance, logistics, and security capacity without relying on dedicated USVs transported into theater.
Sep
14
The U.S. military recovered two Air Force officers shot down over Iran through separate rescue operations that escalated from a 21-aircraft extraction to a ground mission involving more than 90 personnel. The operation shows the concentration of airpower, intelligence, special operations forces and support assets required to recover isolated aircrew inside defended Iranian territory.
Sep
13
The U.S. Army is using SGT STOUT short-range air defense vehicles to keep field artillery in the fight when enemy drones threaten to expose howitzer positions to rapid follow-on strikes. During Saber Junction 26 in Germany, the system protected airborne artillery against simulated unmanned aerial systems, showing how counter-drone defenses can help preserve firing tempo and reduce the need for constant displacement.
Sep
13
Ukraine’s Navy says its armed Sargan 3000 unmanned surface vessel destroyed a Russian unmanned boat in the Black Sea, in what Kyiv describes as the first naval engagement fought between opposing USVs. The clash signals a shift in maritime drone warfare, with unmanned vessels moving beyond reconnaissance and one-way attack missions toward actively hunting and defeating enemy systems.
Sep
13
U.S. defense company Shield AI is moving its X-BAT autonomous vertical-takeoff fighter toward European production through a proposed partnership with Poland’s PGZ and WZL-2. The move could give NATO a runway-independent combat aircraft able to disperse away from air bases increasingly vulnerable to long-range missiels and drone strikes.
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