The US Air Force is preparing Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri for the future arrival of the B-21 Raider by expanding its supporting infrastructure. K & K Industries has been awarded a $13.65 million firm-fixed-price contract to construct a storage facility for B-21 weapons release systems. The contract has a cumulative face value of $14.99 million, while work in the Knob Noster area is expected to be completed by March 31, 2028. Whiteman currently hosts the 509th Bomb Wing and operates the B-2 Spirit. The Air Force selected the Missouri installation in September 2024 as the B-21’s second main operating base, with Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota serving as the other principal location. The B-21 is being developed as a nuclear-capable stealth bomber capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons. The Air Force has stated plans to acquire at least 100 aircraft. The Raider will eventually become a major part of the bomber fleet and replace the B-1 and B-2 as those aircraft retire. Other construction projects are also supporting the program. A $74.9 million contract covers a B-21 radio-frequency hangar at Whiteman, while Ellsworth has received funding for environmental protection shelters and an expanded training complex containing aircrew debriefing and flight-simulator facilities.
