The US Air Force plans to station its future Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider fleet at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; and Whiteman AFB, Missouri starting in the mid-2020s.
The forthcoming stealth bombers will replace B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit aircraft at the three bomber bases. The service hasn't determined which location will receive the aircraft first.
Using the current bomber bases should minimize operational impact, reduce overhead, maximize re-use of facilities and minimize cost, according to the USAF.
"Our current bomber bases are best suited for the B-21," said Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson.
Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and Minot AFB, North Dakota will continue to host the B-52, which is expected to continue conducting operations through 2050.
The USAF said it plans to make its final B-21 basing decision in 2019 following compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory and planning processes.
The USAF said it doesn't plan to retire the entire B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bomber fleet until there are sufficient B-21s to replace them. Instead, the aircraft will gradually be phased out of service.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
