B-1B Lancer
The B-1B Lancer, a long-range, multi-mission bomber, serves as the backbone of the U.S. Air Force’s conventional bomber force. Designed for speed, agility, and precision, the B-1B carries the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory. Its variable-geometry wings, powerful engines, advanced radar, and modern communications systems make it highly effective in high-threat environments. Originally built for nuclear missions, the B-1B transitioned to a conventional-only role by 2011. Since the 1990s, it has demonstrated its versatility and combat effectiveness in numerous major operations, maintaining its role as a key element of U.S. airpower.
Primary Function: Long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber
Contractor: Boeing, North America (formerly Rockwell International, North American Aircraft); Offensive avionics, Boeing Military Airplane; Defensive Avionics, EDO Corporation
Power plant: Four General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engines with afterburner
Thrust: 30,000-plus pounds with afterburner, per engine
Wingspan: 137 feet (41.8 meters) extended forward, 79 feet (24.1 meters) swept aft
Length: 146 feet (44.5 meters)
Height: 34 feet (10.4 meters)
Weight: approximately 190,000 pounds (86,183 kilograms)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 477,000 pounds (216,634 kilograms)
Fuel Capacity: 265,274 pounds (120,326 kilograms)
Payload: 75,000 pounds (34,019 kilograms)
Speed: 900-plus mph (Mach 1.2 at sea level)
Range: Intercontinental
Ceiling: More than 30,000 feet (9,144 meters)
Armament: 84 500-pound Mk-82 or 24 2,000-pound Mk-84 general purpose bombs; up to 84 500-pound Mk-62 or 8 2,000-pound Mk-65 Quick Strike naval mines; 30 cluster munitions (CBU-87, -89, -97) or 30 Wind-Corrected Munitions Dispensers (CBU-103, -104, -105); up to 24 2,000-pound GBU-31 or 15 500-pound GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions; up to 24 AGM-158A Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles; 15 GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions
Crew: Four (aircraft commander, copilot, and two combat systems officers)
Unit Cost: $317 million
Initial operating capability: October 1986
Inventory: Active force, 62 (test, 2); ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
B-2 Spirit
The B-2 Spirit is a stealth, long-range bomber designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons. Its advanced low-observable technology allows it to penetrate heavily defended airspace and strike high-value targets globally. With a 6,000-nautical-mile unrefueled range and a two-person crew, the B-2 blends stealth, aerodynamic efficiency, and significant payload capacity. Operational since 1993, the B-2 has proven its effectiveness in conflicts like Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. It is based at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, and managed by Air Force Global Strike Command, with Northrop Grumman as the primary contractor.
Primary function: multi-role heavy bomber
Contractor: Northrop Grumman Corp. and Contractor Team: Boeing Military Airplanes Co., Hughes Radar Systems Group, General Electric Aircraft Engine Group and Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
Power plant: four General Electric F118-GE-100 engines
Thrust: 17,300 pounds each engine
Wingspan: 172 feet (52.12 meters)
Length: 69 feet (20.9 meters)
Height: 17 feet (5.1 meters)
Weight: 160,000 pounds (72,575 kilograms)
Maximum takeoff weight: 336,500 pounds (152,634 kilograms)
Fuel capacity: 167,000 pounds (75750 kilograms)
Payload: 40,000 pounds (18,144 kilograms)
Speed: high subsonic
Range: intercontinental
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
Armament: conventional or nuclear weapons
Crew: two pilots
Unit cost: Approximately $1.157 billion (fiscal 1998 constant dollars)
Initial operating capability: April 1997
Inventory: active force: 20 (1 test); ANG: 0; Reserve: 0
B-21 Raider
Looking to the future, the B-21 Raider represents the next evolution in strategic bombing. Designed for both conventional and nuclear missions, the B-21 will join the modernized B-52s to form the foundation of the future bomber fleet. Built to survive and operate in highly contested environments, it features enhanced stealth capabilities, a modular open systems architecture for future upgrades, and the flexibility to conduct manned or unmanned operations. The B-21 will also integrate with broader intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and communications systems. Developed by Northrop Grumman and named in honor of the Doolittle Raiders, the B-21 will be based at Ellsworth Air Force Base, with testing and sustainment support provided at Edwards and Tinker AFBs.
Primary Function: Nuclear-capable, penetrating strike stealth bomber
Lead Command: Air Force Global Strike Command
Inventory: Minimum of 100 aircraft
Average Unit Procurement Cost (APUC): $550 million (base year 2010 dollars) / $639 million (base year 2019 dollars) / $692 million (base year 2022 dollars)
*APUC is the total cost of all procurement funding to include, aircraft flyaway costs, support equipment, training, spares, and engineering change orders, divided by a minimum of 100 aircraft.
*Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates directed B-21 Average Procurement Unit Cost as a key performance parameter as the best means to control costs.
Munitions: Nuclear and conventional
Operational: Mid-2020s
