The US Air Force says its two most advanced next-generation aircraft programmes, the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and the F-47 stealth fighter, are progressing ahead of schedule. The B-21 Raider is set to make its first operational delivery to Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in 2027, marking a significant milestone for America's long-range strike capability and its broader effort to maintain air superiority amid growing competition from rivals such as China and Russia.

The B-21 Raider is a next-generation stealth bomber designed to eventually replace older aircraft in the US bomber fleet, while the F-47 is described as a sixth-generation fighter jet, representing a further leap in stealth and combat technology. Both programmes being ahead of schedule is notable given that major US defence procurement projects have frequently faced delays and cost overruns in recent years.