SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 – Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has approved the second and third basing locations for the B-21 Raider, the Air Force’s newest bomber.
Those bases are Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and Dyess AFB, Texas, in that order. Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, was previously selected as the first base to receive the B-21.
Whiteman said its selection as the second B-21 base was made following a “thorough evaluation process, which included operational analysis, site surveys, and consideration of environmental, economic, and technical factors.” Whiteman AFB’s “experience with the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and its strategic location” informed “the decision to base the B-21 here.” A “significant improvement” from the “current bomber force,” the B-21 is capable of “penetrating contested air spaces at long range and deploying either conventional or nuclear munitions.”
“We continue to achieve B-21 production milestones; through digital engineering and open architecture design, we are getting an agile strategic deterrent that delivers a decisive response as required,” said Gen. Thomas Bussiere, Air Force Global Strike Command commander.
The B-21 Raider represents a generational leap as a dual nuclear and conventionally capable, stealth, penetrating, long-range strike platform.
Air Force Global Strike Command will remain ready and provide strike options for the country by continuing to maintain, modernize and keep its B-1 and B-2 bombers in service until the B-21 is delivered in the mid-2020’s.
The Air Force will purchase at least 100 B-21s. The strategic long-range bomber is currently in low-rate production and executing flight test.
By C.R. Hoffman
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs