The U.S. Air Force is developing a new strategic bomber.  Known as the Next Generation Bomber, the effort is in response to Department of Defense and congressional mandates to produce a new long-range strike aircraft to be operational by 2018. This means that the Air Force's plans to acquire a new bomber aircraft have been accelerated by about 20 years.

The Air Force expects the 2018 bomber to serve as an "interim fix" to bridge a bomber capability gap to permit retirement of a portion of the current strategic bomber force and position itself for the development of a follow-on bomber with more advanced technologies, such as hypersonic (Mach 5-plus) drive engines.

The Next Generation Bomber program will provide for the acquisition of approximately 100 aircraft capable of high-subsonic flight that can deliver both nuclear and conventional munitions. The new aircraft would use existing or soon-to-mature technologies and will be low-observable (stealth) aircraft. A portion of them may be unmanned aircraft (i.e., unmanned aerial vehicles).

The Boeing and Lockheed Martin aerospace firms are already teamed and are working on preliminary bomber designs.  Northrop Grumman, the only other viable aircraft-producing competitor, may also join the competition given its experience with the B-2 Spirit aircraft and ongoing work on the Navy's unmanned strike aircraft.

The Next generation Bomber had its origins in the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), which laid the groundwork for the development of a new long-range bomber to either replace or augment the current force of approximately 180 strategic bomber (B-1B, B-2A, and B-52H types). Prior to the 2006 QDR the Air Force had indicated that its current bomber force would suffice until 2037, when advanced technologies, such as hypersonic cruise, would potentially reach maturity and could be incorporated into follow-on bomber aircraft.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense, responding to the Air Force's desire to retire 38 B-52H bombers and concerned about the Air Force's ability to execute future long-range bombing requirements, accelerated Air Force plans for fielding a new aircraft by almost 20 years. The Department of Defense's 2002 Nuclear Posture Review had stated a requirement for 66 "operational" B-52Hs with an additional 28 B-52Hs in "attrition reserve." All aircraft received standard maintenance and scheduled upgrades.

Subsequently, the Air Force was allowed to further reduce the B-52H force with Congress "strongly" discouraging the Secretary of the Air Force from taking action to reduce the B-52H inventory below 76 aircraft prior to the Next Generation Bomber reaching IOC.

According to a Congressional Research Service report of 7 March 2008, "There is currently no consensus, within [the Department of Defense] or among military analysts, on the capabilities needed in the next generation bomber, or even whether an 'interim' bomber is needed."

Ms Rebecca Grant of the IRIS organization, a respected defense analyst and author, in December 2007 listed the capabilities and program milestones that were solidifying with respect to the Next Generation Bomber:

     • Total buy ~100 aircraft
     • Combat radius 2,300 miles minimum (unrefueled)
     • Payload 28,000 pounds
     • Speed high subsonic
     • Two engines
     • Very low observable—improved stealth technology
     • Manned cockpit
     • Nuclear capable
     • Technology reaching maturity by 2009
     • Demonstration flight by 2011

While the exact characteristics of the Next Generation Bomber are not final, it will undoubtedly be an effective successor to the long-flying and battle-proven B-52 Stratofortress.