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The Air Force has successfully reduced the unit cost of its next-generation stealth bomber, the $682 million B-21 Raider, following negotiations with the manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

“The cost decline shows the negotiations are going in the right direction,” said Frank Kendall, the Air Force Secretary, noting that there was positive dialogue with Northrop Grumman. Despite this progress, specific details regarding the B-21’s updated unit costs were kept a secret due to the project’s classified status. The Air Force has adjusted its fiscal 2025 procurement budget for the B-21 to reflect these favorable negotiation outcomes without modifying the program’s planned quantities or scope.

Despite this, Northrop Grumman has faced challenges with the B-21, as seen by a nearly $1.6 billion loss reported in the last quarter of 2023 due to escalating production costs and economic disruptions. Despite these financial setbacks, the Air Force remains optimistic about developing the B-21, including infrastructure, training, and simulation support.

Kendall told lawmakers, “I’ve seen programs get into trouble because there was too much focus on the platform and not enough on all the things that are necessary to support it.”