The B-21 Raider’s true dimensions have been determined from satellite imagery, with the stealth bomber measuring 152 feet in wingspan and 61 feet in length, according to a report from The War Zone published Oct. 19.
The measurements come from a Google Earth image of Edwards Air Force Base dated June 20, 2026. The image resolution, combined with Google Earth’s measurement tools, provided conclusive figures, though The War Zone noted the numbers are approximate, “give or take a few feet.”
The data places the B-21 at about 12% smaller than the B-2 Spirit bomber in both wingspan and length. The War Zone previously estimated the B-21’s top-end wingspan at 155 feet, and that analysis has narrowed over time.
The publication reported that false claims, including AI-generated and enthusiast-made fact sheets showing wingspans under 130 feet, have circulated on social media. The War Zone’s editor, Tyler Rogoway, had repeatedly disputed those figures publicly.
Design implications
According to The War Zone’s long-running analysis, the B-21 was designed with a “premium on range and affordability” and very low observability over massive payload. The 12% size reduction reflects shifted design priorities from its predecessor, including improved aerodynamics for high-altitude cruise, more fuel for its size, and two efficient engines instead of four.
The B-21 is nearly the same length as an F-15 fighter, which sounds bizarre for a large bomber.
Additional details
The satellite image also provided a better view of the aircraft’s exhaust configuration, showing deeply buried exhausts with large planar exit ramps and a chevron trailing edge over the exhaust aperture. The exhaust pathway appears black in the satellite image, a feature that was edited out of an official top-down photo released in April, according to the report.
“At least we can say with total confidence that the B-21 is smaller than its progenitor, but not by all that much — about 12% to be more exact.”
The War Zone reported that the size data reveals “nothing we don’t already know” about the program, with the aircraft’s extreme unrefueled range being the key design outcome.
Sources: The War Zone