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By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway      Published  Oct 19, 2026 1:50 PM EDT     (we-finally-know-the-b-21-raiders-true-wingspan.html#comments)    0           (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=twz.com) Add TWZ (opens Google in a new window or tab)      More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results.        (B-21 wingspan is 152 feet.)   Google Earth    The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   (handle_newsletter_email_submission) (d88dacfd8e) (TWZInline) (0) Email address  (Enter your email) (Please enter a valid email address)  Sign Up  Thank you!      (https://recurrent.io/terms-and-conditions/) Terms of Service and(https://recurrent.io/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy        Thanks to Google Earth, we can finally put this one to bed. Since the B-21’s unveiling, people have made wild claims about its wingspan, specifically how tiny it is. This was never the case, as we have reported continuously since we first set eyes on it. Many AI-generated and enthusiast-made B-21 fact sheets have gone viral on social media showing wingspans under 130 feet, which only helped propel the nonsense. Now we can definitively say, give or take a few feet, the B-21 spans 152 feet and is 61 feet long. This puts it at about 12% smaller in terms of wingspan than the B-2, and about the same — 12% smaller — when it comes to length. The image in question, taken of Edwards AFB and dated June 20, 2026, was recently uploaded to Google Earth. While we have seen satellite images of the B-21 going about its business before, this one was published in the public domain and had enough resolution, when paired with Google Earth’s excellent measurement tools, to get conclusive measurements. ()  B-21 taxiing between Edwards AFB’s parallel runways. (Google Earth)   Since we first saw the B-21 at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, during its unveiling, (https://www.twz.com/this-is-the-b-21-raider-stealth-bomber) which TWZ attended , we put the(https://www.twz.com/the-b-21-raider-is-and-isnt-a-b-2-spirit-2-0) top-end size at 155 feet wingspan-wise. That analysis has only (https://www.twz.com/air/b-21-raider-photographed-aerial-refueling-for-the-first-time) narrowed over the years . I have had many emails, social media threads, and other engagements with folks claiming the aircraft was in the sub-130-foot wingspan range. Now we can finally put those battles behind us. B-21 span nowhere that number. Bizarre people think this. Around 150-155 best estimate — Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) (https://x.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1968953539570389168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) September 19, 2025    I smile every time I see these graphics showing like 130 foot wingspan on the B-21. People think it's way smaller than it is. — Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) (https://x.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1959842128399564928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) August 25, 2025    So what does the size tell us? Nothing we don’t already know. The B-21 was always going to be smaller than the B-2. Our analysis from many years ago has stayed the same — the aircraft would be designed with a (https://www.twz.com/the-b-21-raider-is-and-isnt-a-b-2-spirit-2-0) premium on range and affordability , as well as very low observability, over massive payload. This resulted in the aircraft you see today. It is smaller, but with design priorities that have shifted from its predecessor’s, and 12% smaller in pure dimensions makes total sense considering what Northrop Grumman was trying to achieve. Above all else, it points to the B-21 having an extreme unrefueled range, with (https://www.twz.com/14919/the-b-21s-three-decade-old-shape-hints-at-new-high-altitude-capabilities) improved aerodynamics for high-altitude cruise , more gas for its size, and two efficient engines instead of four. ()  Official photo of the B-21 in close pre-contact position behind Edwards AFB’s ‘Ghost’ test tanker. (USAF)   As for its length, the B-21 is nearly the same length as an F-15 fighter, which sounds bizarre for a large bomber. However, flying wings are visual transformers, looking like compact UFOs side-on and massive head-on or from the planform view. What's even more fascinating is that this thing is probably about the same length as an F-15 or close to it. Flying wings are transformers. From flying saucers side-on to massive flying wedges in the bank to huge boomerangs head on. (https://t.co/0UXOK0uVVN) pic.twitter.com/0UXOK0uVVN  — Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) (https://x.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1793409166713004184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) May 22, 2024    As far as what else we can discern from the Google Earth image? Not much. We get a bit of a better view of the B-21’s exhaust configuration, but nothing is really revelatory there. The exhausts are deeply buried with large planar exhaust exit ‘ramps’ and have a large chevron trailing edge over the exhaust aperture itself. We have seen some pretty detailed images of this general arrangement from the rear that have been posted on social media. We do see the exhaust pathway as black in color, a feature that was edited out in the official top-down photo of the B-21 seen above, which was released in April, and this is something (https://www.twz.com/air/b-21-raider-like-you-have-never-seen-it-before) we mentioned at the time . (Images): “Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider Over Palmdale”Source: jmh.creates(https://x.com/hashtag/anonymoushadoww?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) #anonymoushadoww (https://x.com/hashtag/ufotwitter?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) #ufotwitter (https://x.com/hashtag/uaptwitter?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) #uaptwitter (https://x.com/hashtag/ShadowLurker?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) #ShadowLurker (https://x.com/hashtag/Twitter?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) #Twitter (https://t.co/0zLn4ADWl1) pic.twitter.com/0zLn4ADWl1  — Anonymoushadoww (@anonymoushadoww) (https://x.com/anonymoushadoww/status/2103328359845622021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) September 25, 2026    Regardless, 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.  Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com   (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) (Tyler Rogoway Avatar)   (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway   Editor-in-Chief    Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site  Foxtrot Alpha  before developing  TWZ  , which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day.    (https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel)           Loading comments…  Comments couldn’t be loaded. Please refresh the page.         Latest in B-21 (https://www.twz.com/air/pathway-to-larger-b-21-raider-fleet-was-baked-into-production-ramp-up-deal) (An agreement to ramp up production of the B-21 Raider was indeed structured to open the door to orders for more of the bombers, according to prime contractor Northrop Grumman.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/b-21) B-21   (https://www.twz.com/air/pathway-to-larger-b-21-raider-fleet-was-baked-into-production-ramp-up-deal) Pathway To Larger B-21 Raider Fleet Was Baked Into Production Ramp-Up Deal   The USAF previously framed the B-21 production boost deal as simply helping accelerate fielding of the bombers next year. By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick        1:57 PM  July 24, 2026      (https://www.twz.com/air/usaf-decides-against-flying-b-21-raiders-with-just-one-pilot) (The U.S. Air Force has officially decided that the B-21 Raider will be flown by a crew consisting of two pilots, just like the B-2 is today.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/b-21) B-21   (https://www.twz.com/air/usaf-decides-against-flying-b-21-raiders-with-just-one-pilot) USAF Decides Against Flying B-21 Raiders With Just One Pilot   The Air Force has made a formal decision about how the B-21 will be crewed as it pushes to start fielding the bombers next year. By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick        6:17 PM  July 10, 2026        ()    The TWZ Newsletter  Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   (https://twz.beehiiv.com/) Sign Up  By signing up you agree to our(https://recurrent.io/terms-and-conditions/) Terms of Service and(https://recurrent.io/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy.           More   (https://www.twz.com/air/b-21-raider-like-you-have-never-seen-it-before) (KC-135 from Edwards air force base refueling a B-21 for the first time.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/b-21) B-21   (https://www.twz.com/air/b-21-raider-like-you-have-never-seen-it-before) B-21 Raider Seen From Above For The First Time   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway           (https://www.twz.com/32522/edwards-afb-upgrades-point-to-unexpected-home-for-b-21-raider-and-other-secretive-programs) (Edwards AFB Upgrades Point To Unexpected Home For B-21 Raider, Other Secretive Programs)     (https://www.twz.com/category/rq-180) RQ-180   (https://www.twz.com/32522/edwards-afb-upgrades-point-to-unexpected-home-for-b-21-raider-and-other-secretive-programs) Edwards AFB Upgrades Point To Unexpected Home For B-21 Raider, Other Secretive Programs   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway           (https://www.twz.com/28148/satellite-images-show-major-expansion-at-edwards-afb-ahead-of-b-21-raiders-arrival) (New Hangars Constructed At Edwards AFB Ahead Of B-21 Raider’s Arrival)     (https://www.twz.com/category/b-21) B-21   (https://www.twz.com/28148/satellite-images-show-major-expansion-at-edwards-afb-ahead-of-b-21-raiders-arrival) New Hangars Constructed At Edwards AFB Ahead Of B-21 Raider’s Arrival   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway           (https://www.twz.com/air/b-21-raider-photographed-aerial-refueling-for-the-first-time) (KC-135 refueling B-21 over the Mojave Desert.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/kc-135) KC-135   (https://www.twz.com/air/b-21-raider-photographed-aerial-refueling-for-the-first-time) B-21 Raider Photographed Aerial Refueling For The First Time   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway           (https://www.twz.com/b-21-raiders-first-flight-what-we-learned) (B-21 first flight)     (https://www.twz.com/category/b-21) B-21   (https://www.twz.com/b-21-raiders-first-flight-what-we-learned) B-21 Raider’s First Flight: What We Learned   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway           (https://www.twz.com/18997/b-21-raider-officially-heading-to-edwards-air-force-base-for-testing) (B-21 Raider Officially Heading To Edwards Air Force Base For Testing)     (https://www.twz.com/category/us-homeland) U.S. Homeland   (https://www.twz.com/18997/b-21-raider-officially-heading-to-edwards-air-force-base-for-testing) B-21 Raider Officially Heading To Edwards Air Force Base For Testing   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway           (https://www.twz.com/air/first-aerial-view-of-b-21-raider-offers-new-insights) (B-21 raider first air-to-air image)     (https://www.twz.com/category/b-21) B-21   (https://www.twz.com/air/first-aerial-view-of-b-21-raider-offers-new-insights) First Aerial View Of B-21 Raider Offers New Insights   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway           (https://www.twz.com/the-b-21-raider-is-and-isnt-a-b-2-spirit-2-0) (B21 Raider vs B2)     (https://www.twz.com/category/ngad) NGAD   (https://www.twz.com/the-b-21-raider-is-and-isnt-a-b-2-spirit-2-0) The B-21 Raider Is And Isn’t A ‘B-2 Spirit 2.0’   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway           (https://www.twz.com/category/air) SEE MORE         (https://www.twz.com/) (TWZ Logo)    The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   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