Overview
- STRATCOM Commander Adm. Richard Correll told lawmakers on March 17 that investments could enable a second B-21 production line, though no decision has been made.
- Correll reaffirmed his command’s view that the fleet should grow to 145 aircraft, exceeding the Air Force’s current plan.
- The Air Force and Northrop Grumman agreed on Feb. 23 to a $4.5 billion effort that raises B-21 production capacity by 25 percent using One Big Beautiful Bill Act funds.
- Gen. Dale White said the service is holding to a minimum of 100 aircraft to be built at Plant 42 in Palmdale, describing the added capacity as preserving decision space.
- Analysts note supply-chain and workforce limits could delay faster deliveries, and a second line would duplicate manufacturing to enable higher parallel throughput over time.