What You Need to Know About Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider
Northrop Grumman's B-21 Raider, the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft, is progressing through its flight test campaign at Edwards Air Force Base. A Combined Test Force (CTF) of Northrop Grumman and Air Force personnel reports that the aircraft is performing as expected. The B-21 maintains its targeted Average Procurement Unit Cost (APUC) of $550 million in 2010 dollars. The government holds fixed-price production options for the first 21 aircraft, with negotiations pending for 19 additional units. The B-21 features next-gen stealth, open architecture for upgradeability, and advanced manufacturing processes. It aims to be cost-effective and easily maintainable, leveraging agile software development and digital engineering tools for reduced production risks and modern sustainment practices.
- World’s first sixth-generation aircraft.
- On track to meet APUC of $550 million in 2010 dollars.
- Fixed-price production options for the first 21 aircraft.
- Open architecture for rapid upgrades.
- Advanced manufacturing reduces risk and supports efficiency.
- Agile software development and digital engineering enhance sustainment.
- Final terms, quantity, and pricing beyond the first 21 aircraft are subject to negotiation.
- Not to exceed pricing for additional 19 aircraft is above the average unit price of five LRIP lots.
Insights
The B-21 Raider’s continued progress in its flight test campaign signifies Northrop Grumman’s commitment to leading-edge aerospace technology. The aircraft’s design reflects a significant evolution in stealth and operational capabilities. Being a sixth-generation aircraft, it incorporates advancements in low observable processes, which are paramount for modern strategic bombers. These attributes not only enhance the aircraft's functionality but also reduce long-term maintenance costs, a important factor for high-budget military projects. The focus on production with a representative first test aircraft rather than a prototype highlights Northrop Grumman’s strategic foresight. This approach mitigates potential transition issues from testing to full-scale production, ensuring that the aircraft will reach operational capability smoothly.
The financial implications of the B-21 Raider program are noteworthy. The Average Procurement Unit Cost (APUC) is
The B-21 Raider exemplifies a significant leap in aerospace technology, incorporating digital engineering and agile software development practices. The aircraft's open architecture design allows for rapid integration of new technologies and weapons, ensuring that it remains cutting-edge throughout its lifecycle. This adaptability is essential for maintaining strategic advantages in military aviation. Furthermore, the use of advanced manufacturing techniques, including augmented reality tools for technicians, illustrates how digital ecosystems can enhance precision and efficiency. The successful migration to a cloud environment for software updates underscores the forward-thinking approach in modern aerospace engineering. This digital transformation not only enhances the current capabilities of the B-21 but sets a new standard for future aircraft design and production.
FALLS CHURCH, Va., June 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Benefitting from more than three decades of strike and stealth technology innovation, the B-21 is the next evolution of the U.S. Air Force strategic bomber fleet and the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft to reach the skies.
The B-21 Raider continues its flight test campaign at Edwards Air Force Base, California, led by a Combined Test Force (CTF) comprised of Northrop Grumman and Air Force personnel. CTF pilots indicate the jet is performing as expected with the aircraft flying like the simulator, reflecting the precision of the digital environment on B-21.
(Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)
B-21 remains on track to meet its key performance parameter for Average Procurement Unit Cost (APUC) of
The average not to exceed value for the subsequent lots is above the average unit price of the five LRIP lots.
Here is what you need to know about Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider as it continues flight test.
- Sixth Generation. The B-21 Raider is setting standards for sixth-generation technology. On the outside, next-gen stealth and advancements in low observable processes will make the aircraft easier and less costly to maintain than prior systems. Inside, the B-21’s open architecture will enable rapid upgradability from inclusion of new weapons to software upgrades thanks to advanced networking capabilities and successful cloud environment migration.
- Production Focus. A key strategy of the program was to build a production representative first test aircraft. Rather than a prototype, the B-21 test aircraft is equipped with mission systems and was built by the same manufacturing technicians using the same processes and tooling for production aircraft. The body of knowledge and experience gleaned in the development process supports a smooth transition into production on the path to delivering operational capability.
- A Digital Aircraft. Northrop Grumman uses agile software development and digital engineering tools to mitigate production risk and enable modern sustainment practices for the B-21 program. Ground testing demonstrated the efficacy of digital modeling with results that outperformed industry standards, paving the way for next-gen platforms and systems.
- Advanced Manufacturing. By embracing the benefits of advanced manufacturing, Northrop Grumman invested in a digital ecosystem for the B-21 throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle. From training and augmented reality tools allowing technicians to visualize tasks and solve problems before ever touching the plane, to easing integration of supplier parts on the aircraft, these advancements have reduced risk, supported efficiency and cultivated expertise throughout the manufacturing workforce.
- Sustainment at the Forefront. Sustainment was a program priority throughout the B-21 program’s design phase. In addition to driving efficiency over the long term, this approach yields more near-term benefits and sets the B-21 further along on tech data, materiel readiness and training which will benefit the user community upon fielding.
Note: Statements in this press release contain or may contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “trends,” “goals” and similar expressions generally identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this release, except as required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and inherently involve a wide range of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. A discussion of these risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: Christine Denton
321-272-4907
Christine.Denton@ngc.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21b0834f-136f-4c2f-adcc-859290f03299
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