# Air Force Expands B-21 Production in Palmdale

The Department of the Air Force and Northrop Grumman broke ground on September 29, 2026, on a new B-21 Raider final assembly line at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The facility expansion will add more than 1 million square feet and support a 25% increase in annual B-21 production capacity. The project is backed by $4.5 billion in previously authorized and appropriated FY2025 funding; that amount is not identified as a new contract award, and no new solicitation was announced.

- Northrop Grumman is the B-21 program contractor; suppliers and prospective subcontractors can assess relevant capabilities and pursue opportunities through the prime contractor’s supply chain channels.
- The added production capacity may create demand for facility construction, manufacturing equipment, workforce support, and production inputs, although the signals do not identify specific subcontract packages.
- Companies should distinguish the previously appropriated $4.5 billion from a contract value and note that no solicitation or supplier contact was provided.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of the Air Force (DAF)
- U.S. Air Force (USAF)
- Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC)

### Vendors
- Northrop Grumman (B-21 program contractor)

### Key Quotes
> The B-21 Raider is foundational to the Air Force’s future long-range strike capability, and this investment strengthens the industrial capacity required to field that capability faster.
> — Gen. Dale White, Director, Critical Major Weapon Systems

> This investment in Palmdale will provide the infrastructure, workforce and manufacturing capacity needed to deliver the Raider to the Air Force at an increased rate.
> — Col. Nicholas Jordan, B-21 Systems Program Director

### Sources
- [Air Force Breaks Ground on New B-21 Assembly Line as Production Expands - Defense Daily](https://www.defensedaily.com/air-force-breaks-ground-on-new-b-21-assembly-line-as-production-expands/nuclear-modernization) - Defense Daily
- [
	DAF, Northrop Grumman break ground on B-21 production facility > U.S. Strategic Command > News Article View
](https://www.stratcom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4622311/daf-northrop-grumman-break-ground-on-b-21-production-facility/) - US