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Northrup Grumman to unveil new generation stealth bomber

Air Force

Americans will get their first view of a nuclear capable stealth bomber at the end of the year.

Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds says Northrup Grumman will reveal the B-21 Raider the first week of December.

“The B-21 Raider bomber will play a crucial role in the defense of our nation and have a major impact on the Rapid City area for the next 50 years,” said Rounds in a statement.

Ellsworth Airforce Base in Box Elder is the first base to receive the next-generation stealth bomber. The expanded mission for Ellsworth will bring thousands of new workers to the region.

Officials expect the bomber to arrive sometime in the mid-2020s. Northrup Grumman plans to build 100 of the bombers with an estimated cost per plane of $550 million.

The B-21 will gradually replace existing B-1 bombers at Ellsworth, some of which have already been decommissioned.

Lee Strubinger is SDPB’s Rapid City-based news and political reporter. A former reporter for Fort Lupton Press (CO) and Colorado Public Radio, Lee holds a master’s in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.