Air Force names new bomber the B-21 Raider

The Air Force announced today the name of its newest bomber -- the B-21 Raider.

Sec. Deborah Lee James revealed the bomber's moniker during the Air Force Association's annual symposium in National Harbor, MD. The service launched a naming campaign earlier this year.

The Raider was named for the Doolittle Raiders -- known for conducting a surprise attack against Japan months after the United States entered World War II. Retired Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole, a former Doolittle Raider, took the stage with Sec. James to make the announcement.

The service has kept many details about the bomber's development under the veil of classification, including the value of an engineering and manufacturing development contract it awarded to prime contractor Northrop Grumman last October. The service has said the program is moving through a security review and officials may release additional details in the near future.

The Government Accountability Office is also expected to release a redacted version of a bid protest decision this fall issued after B-21 competitors Lockheed Martin and Boeing filed a protest of the service's award to Northrop.