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.
"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.
