The United States Air Force (USAF) has made a strategic decision to retire one of its B-2 Spirit bombers following a costly mishap in December 2022.
While the financial implications of repairing the bomber proved uneconomical, the move also signals a pivotal shift in USAF priorities towards modernization and readiness in line with the National Defense Strategy.
A service spokesperson said the projected savings associated with the move—some $176 million in operations and maintenance over the next five years—won’t be poured into the rest of the fleet.
Instead, the focus is on balancing the budget at an enterprise level, as stated, “Potential savings in some areas must be managed at the enterprise level to account for increased costs in others to support National Defense Strategy priorities.”
This financial maneuvering comes as the Air Force navigates a transition period, gradually phasing out the B-1 and B-2 fleets in favor of the forthcoming B-21 Raider.
Officials remain tight-lipped regarding specific retirement plans for operational security reasons, but the incremental retirement strategy seems to rule out any mass retirements as new B-21s enter service.
The decision not to repair the damaged bomber stands in stark contrast to a 2010 incident where a B-2 suffered significant damage in Guam. At that time, the Air Force undertook a $100 million repair effort spanning four years, emphasizing the high value of each stealth bomber.
However, with the current bomber nearing retirement and the advent of the B-21, investing in repairs for a short-term service extension is no longer justifiable.
As the USAF anticipates savings through divestment, it is also investing significantly in the F-22 Raptor, pouring $7.8 billion into procurement and R&D through fiscal 2029. The F-22 is undergoing substantial upgrades, including stealthy drop tanks, improved connectivity, and advanced sensors, ensuring it remains a formidable force against contemporary air threats.
This investment challenges the notion that the F-22 fleet would start to retire around 2030, with the Air Force strategically positioning the fighter as a ‘bridge’ to the Next-Generation Air Dominance Fighter.
Meanwhile, the B-21 Raider, intended to replace both the B-2 and B-1B Lancer bombers, is currently undergoing testing and is expected to become operational in the mid-2020s.
The new bomber, boasting capabilities to carry an array of conventional and nuclear weapons, is a cornerstone of the USAF’s long-term strategic bomber vision.
The USAF plans to purchase 100 B-21s, signaling a significant modernization endeavor in the coming years.
The USAF aims to retire 932 combat aircraft from its fleet between 2025 and 2029 to save approximately US$18 billion.
Among the combat aircraft to be retired are one B-2 Spirit and 251 other aircraft in 2025, 293 aircraft in 2026, 235 in 2027, 95 in 2028, and 64 in 2029.
Relevant articles:
– What Will USAF Do With the Money It Saves from Retiring a B-2?, Air & Space Forces Magazine
– F-22 Retirement in 2030 Unlikely as USAF Looks to Spend $7.8 Billion on It Before Then, airandspaceforces.com
– U.S. Retires US$4 Billion (RM18 Billion) B-2 Spirit Bomber, Declines Repair Due to “Uneconomical” Cost, Defence Security Asia
– Air Force Will Retire, Not Repair, Damaged B, Air & Space Forces Magazine