Specialized shelters to protect B-21 Raider at Ellsworth AFB

The United States Air Force is preparing specialized shelters for the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, where the first operational bombers are expected to be based. The B-21 is a next-generation stealth bomber designed for deep-penetration missions in contested airspace, capable of carrying conventional or nuclear weapons. The article reports that the shelters are being built to protect the aircraft from harsh winter conditions, though specific design details were not provided in the extract.

The B-21 Raider is slated to enter active duty in 2027 and will eventually form the foundation of a new bomber force operating out of Ellsworth AFB. The base experiences cold, snowy winters, making protection of the advanced aircraft a priority. The article examines the specialized shelters being constructed, but the extract focuses on the aircraft's role and timeline.