B-21隱形轟炸機量產加速！美軍砸3千億衝刺「絕對底線」100架以上

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B-21「突襲者」隱形轟炸機(圖片取自美國空軍)

美國空軍正式啟動大規模加速B-21「突襲者」隱形轟炸機的生產計畫，預計在2026財年投入高達103億美元（約新台幣3,300億元），不僅涵蓋研發、製造，也同步提升年產能與產線韌性。

The US Air Force plans to invest $10.3 billion in fiscal year 2026 to advance B-21 Raider development and increase annual production capacity, according to the Air & Space Forces Magazine report released on July 5.

美軍強調，B-21計畫是當前空中打擊力量現代化的核心工程之一。空軍在書面回覆中指出，正針對基礎設施進行擴建投資，以確保每年產能得以提升，符合作戰與戰備要求。

“The Air Force is committed to the success of the B-21 program and is actively investing in the infrastructure required to support increased annual production,” the service stated in response to media inquiries.

根據美方原定的計畫，B-21將以每年約7架的速率生產，初步設定總量為100架，並可能於2030年代中後期完成全數交付。不過，隨著地緣局勢變化與國防需求上升，這一基準可能已不足應對未來挑戰。

While initial plans called for 100 units with a production rate of seven bombers per year, military officials have hinted that current threat assessments may require a larger fleet, potentially extending beyond 2035.

事實上，早在今年4月，負責研製B-21的諾斯羅普·格魯曼（Northrop Grumman）就已預先承擔4.77億美元的額外材料支出，目的正是「預備快速增產」。

Northrop Grumman set the groundwork in April by absorbing $477 million in material costs, enabling faster production scalability if the Air Force signals increased demand.

該公司形容這項行動是「製造流程的改造」（manufacturing transformation），將有助於大幅提升產量效率。

The company described the move as a “manufacturing process transformation,” allowing a significantly higher output rate if necessary.

除年度預算外，川普政府時期的一系列國防預算調整也為B-21的量產奠定資金基礎。美國媒體指出，稅改法案下曾撥出高達45億美元強化該專案，其中21億用於採購，24億投入研發。

The Trump-era tax legislation provided an additional $4.5 billion for the B-21 program — with $2.1 billion allocated for procurement and $2.4 billion for research and development.

另外，美國空軍也向國會申請34億美元進一步擴大製造能量，並增編23億美元作為研測與評估支出，顯示此案為五角大廈的戰略核心。

Further requests include $3.4 billion for expanded production and $2.3 billion for testing and evaluation, reflecting the program’s top-tier priority in the Pentagon's long-range planning.

目前，所有B-21均由加州帕姆代爾（Palmdale）第42工廠負責組裝。但外界仍不清楚，面對擴產需求，諾斯羅普是否會啟用第二條產線或增建新廠房。

While all B-21s are currently being assembled at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, it's unclear whether Northrop will expand the existing facility or establish a second manufacturing base.

在軍事戰略層面，美國戰略司令部司令安東尼·科頓上將曾直言，100架僅是「絕對最低數量」。美國全球打擊司令部司令湯瑪斯·布西耶爾上將更於6月指出，「145架」可能才是合理規模。

Gen. Anthony Cotton has referred to 100 B-21s as the “absolute minimum,” while Gen. Thomas Bussiere of Global Strike Command suggested in June that a force of 145 aircraft may be more realistic given emerging threats.

此番動作，意味著B-21不僅是下一代空基核打擊平台，更被視為全面因應中俄威脅的核心戰略資產。無論是「可穿透高威脅空域」的隱形能力，還是其具備未來AI整合潛力的模組設計，都讓B-21成為21世紀最關鍵的戰略轟炸機之一。

As a stealth bomber capable of penetrating contested airspace and integrating future AI-driven systems, the B-21 is quickly becoming the most critical long-range strike platform of the 21st century — designed to deter and defeat near-peer threats like China and Russia.