US Air Force Plans $2 Billion Dyess B-21 Buildout to Bring Nuclear Bombers Back to Texas

The US Air Force is preparing an approximately $2 billion infrastructure program at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas to support its planned introduction of the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber. Proposed work includes aircraft operating and maintenance facilities, training infrastructure and a weapons-generation facility required for the bomber's nuclear mission. Dyess has been selected as the third planned main operating base for the B-21, after Ellsworth Air Force Base and Whiteman Air Force Base. The October 2026 planning discussions concern construction and basing preparations; an exact first-aircraft arrival date at Dyess has not been announced.