Pentagon unveils new initiative to address drone concerns, autonomous warfare
Bill Hemmer and John Spencer, executive director of the Urban Warfare Institute, discuss the Pentagon’s new initiative to oversee military drones and autonomous systems. Spencer emphasizes the necessity for the U.S. to lead in drone technology, citing lessons from the Ukraine war and the significant budget requested for research and development.
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The Air Force says its next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber program is ahead of schedule, with the first operational aircraft expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in 2027.
The service’s sixth-generation F-47 fighter is also progressing faster than expected, according to Gen. Dale White, director of Critical Major Weapon Systems, who discussed both programs during the Air Force’s Life Cycle Industry Days conference in Dayton, Ohio.
White said the B-21 acquisition program has accelerated by roughly 25% following a one-time $4.5 billion funding boost included in the 2025 reconciliation bill.
The comments provide one of the clearest public updates yet on the status of the Air Force’s two flagship next-generation aircraft programs.
AMERICA’S NEW STEALTH B-21 RAIDER TAKES NEXT STEP WITH SECOND BOMBER’S FIRST FLIGHT
B-21 took flight near Edwards Air Force base in September 2025, Air Force said Thursday (Air Force)
The update comes months after the Air Force announced a second B-21 Raider joined flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, a milestone officials at the time said would accelerate testing and weapons integration for America’s first new long-range bomber in more than three decades.
White said the first operational B-21 is expected to be “on the ramp” at Ellsworth in 2027, with Northrop Grumman planning to eventually produce seven operational bombers annually. The Pentagon has requested $6.1 billion for the B-21 program in its fiscal year 2027 budget proposal.
Built by Northrop Grumman, the B-21 is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons while penetrating advanced enemy air defenses. The aircraft is expected to eventually replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit while operating alongside modernized B-52 Stratofortress bombers expected to remain in service into the middle of the century. The Air Force plans to acquire at least 100 B-21 bombers.
White also said planning for the Boeing-built F-47 has reached an “unprecedented maturity.”
INSIDE AMERICA’S 6TH-GEN ARSENAL: B-21, F-47, AND THE FUTURE OF AIR DOMINANCE
Air crew at test flight of B-21 (Air Force)
The Air Force plans to acquire 185 F-47 fighters, with the first flight scheduled for 2028. The aircraft will replace the F-22 Raptor as the service’s primary air superiority fighter and is expected to operate alongside Collaborative Combat Aircraft, autonomous “loyal wingman” drones designed to support crewed aircraft in combat. The Pentagon has requested $5.03 billion for the F-47 program in its fiscal year 2027 budget request.
The B-21 Raider goes through testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. (Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Air Force, Northrop Grumman and Boeing for comment.