Whiteman Air Force Base is receiving additional infrastructure to support the future arrival of the B-21 Raider. K & K Industries has secured a $13.65 million contract to build a storage facility for the bomber’s weapons release systems. The overall contract carries a cumulative value of $14.99 million, with the work being carried out in the Knob Noster area and expected to conclude by March 31, 2028. Whiteman currently operates the B-2 fleet through the 509th Bomb Wing and was selected in September 2024 to become the second main operating location for the B-21, after Ellsworth Air Force Base. The Raider is being developed as a stealth bomber capable of conducting both conventional and nuclear missions. The Air Force intends to procure at least 100 aircraft, which will eventually replace the B-1 and B-2 as those aircraft retire. Infrastructure construction is moving forward in parallel with the aircraft program. At Whiteman, a $74.9 million project covers construction of a B-21 radio-frequency hangar. At Ellsworth, additional contracts have funded six environmental protection shelters and an expanded training facility featuring debriefing and flight-simulation capabilities. These projects demonstrate the scale of ground infrastructure required to introduce the new bomber into operational service.
