Overview
- The Air Force requested up to $1.7 billion to upgrade B-1B and B-2 bombers and keep them in service into the late 2030s.
- The plan sets aside $342 million for B-1s and $1.35 billion for upgrades to the 19 B-2s at Whiteman AFB from 2027 to 2031.
- Recent strikes on Iran showed the need for these jets, with B-2s flying 37-hour missions from the U.S. and B-1s and B-52s launching from the U.K.
- The B-2 remains the only aircraft that can carry two 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, while early B-21s are built to carry one.
- Low-rate B-21 production and a target fleet of about 100 aircraft leave a near-term gap, even as basing expands to Ellsworth AFB, so the Air Force is funding legacy upgrades and pilot bonuses up to $600,000.