Northrop Grumman opens Utah plant to boost B-21 stealth bomber production

Northrop Grumman held a ceremony in Layton, Utah, to launch its new East Gate 3 facility, a 845,000-square-foot plant near one outlet Air Force Base. The site will produce "key components" for the B-21 Raider, a stealth bomber slated to deliver its first unit to Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota next year. Corporate vice president Tom Jones and B-21 division vice president Chris Adams emphasized the aircraft’s importance for U.S. strategic air power and deterrence.

The plant is planned to house up to 1,500 employees by 2032, focusing on engineering and manufacturing tasks. State and local leaders, including Senate President Stuart Adams and Mayor Joy Petro, praised the project’s contribution to national defense and regional industry. The Air Force has asked for a minimum of 100 bombers, each with an estimated unit procurement cost of $692 million (2022 dollars).