As Ellsworth Air Force Base gears up to host the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, Conti Federal has been awarded a $31.7 million contract to construct the cutting-edge Fuel Cell Hangar B7242. This facility, designed for the maintenance of the advanced bomber, will span 26,000 square feet and is part of a broader infrastructure overhaul supporting the B-21’s arrival. Conti is also constructing four additional facilities, including a Radio Frequency Hangar and Weapons Loader Training Facility, emphasizing the complexity and scale of the B-21 program.
This transformation is part of a larger effort at Ellsworth AFB, which has been selected as the first base to host the B-21 Raider after clearing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in 2021. The base will undergo extensive renovations and expansions, including runway upgrades to support B-21 operations, which are expected to be completed between 2025 and 2026.
The B-21 Raider, designed as a next-generation stealth bomber, will replace the aging B-1B Lancer and B-2A Spirit aircraft, positioning itself as the U.S. Air Force’s premier long-range strike platform. Its arrival marks a significant shift in U.S. defense capabilities, with the B-21 set to operate in a variety of roles, from conventional strikes to electronic warfare and integrated air defense jamming.
The contract awarded for the Fuel Cell Hangar suggests the advanced nature of the B-21’s technology, particularly its reliance on fuel cells to power the aircraft’s sophisticated electronics. These systems are expected to support the B-21’s ability to integrate data, sensors, and weapons, enabling real-time data fusion and coordination across the battlefield. Northrop Grumman, the B-21’s developer, has highlighted the bomber’s “survivability” and networking capabilities, hinting at its potential to conduct stand-off strikes and break through enemy air defenses.
Conti Federal’s involvement in the B-21 program extends beyond this hangar, with the company also constructing the Fuel Systems Maintenance Dock, a Phase Maintenance Hangar, and more. These facilities are critical to ensuring the mission readiness of the U.S. Air Force as it transitions to the B-21, which is expected to dominate the skies for decades to come.
