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U.S. Air Force breaks ground on new B-21 assembly line
The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman have broken ground on a B-21 production facility exceeding one million square feet at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. Construction supports a February agreement to raise annual bomber production capacity by 25%, although actual output rates remain classified. Accelerated production draws on $4.5 billion approved through fiscal 2025 reconciliation legislation, alongside Northrop Grumman's planned $2.5 billion investment in the programme. The Air Force expects its first operational aircraft at Ellsworth in 2027 and plans at least 100 bombers, while a completion date for the new facility has not been announced.