# The B-52 Stratofortress is not being replaced because it is a lumbering missile truck with plenty of flight hours remaining.

*aerospace · news · 2026-04-14 · Simple Flying*

## Key points

- The B-2 fleet has shrunk to 19 aircraft, far below the originally intended 132 units.
- It is cheaper and easier for the Air Force to develop the B-21 than to restart B-2 production.
- The B-21 Raider features multi-spectral stealth, improving on B-2's primarily radar-focused stealth.
- B-21 unit cost is targeted at $550 million versus B-2's $2 billion, enabling larger procurement.
- A 2026 funding increase will boost B-21 annual production by 25% to compress delivery timelines.

**Companies:** Northrop Grumman
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Simple Flying](https://simpleflying.com/why-northrup-grumman-b-21-raider-replacing-b-2-spirit/)

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