Northrop Grumman announced a $2.5 billion self-funded investment during its Q1 2026 earnings call. This capital will accelerate production of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The company will deploy $200 million of the total investment in 2026. The bulk of the spending is scheduled for 2027 through 2029 to expand and modernize production facilities.
The initiative follows an agreement with the U.S. Air Force to increase the aircraft's production rate by 25%. Northrop Grumman expects the move to improve the long-term economics of the B-21 program. The self-funded project signals strong corporate confidence in the platform's future as a cornerstone of the U.S. nuclear triad.
The announcement coincided with Northrop reporting Q1 results that beat analyst estimates for revenue and earnings per share.