Years of hard use, long-overdue modernization programs, and budget pressures mean the entire U.S. bomber inventory faces significant risk over the next several years. Successfully navigating this risky period demands that the White House and Congress shore up the B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers with smart upgrades, while doubling down investment on the newest bomber, the B-21 Raider.

Air Force bombers execute a unique set of responsibilities thanks to their range, responsiveness, payload, survivability and versatility. However, America’s bomber inventory averages 43 years in age, with nearly half the fleet pre-dating the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. In the wake of the Cold War, a drive for budget cuts saw drastic cuts to the bomber inventory. The current fleet is just 157 aircraft. Of these, only 20 stealthy B-2s would stand a chance in contested airspace.