Air Force Unveils 2026 Air Power Legacy Series Uniform Honoring the B-21 Raider
The Air Force Falcons are taking their Air Power Legacy Series into the future. For the 2026 edition of the annual uniform series, Air Force will honor the B-21 Raider, the U.S. Air Force's next-generation stealth bomber. The Falcons will debut the special uniforms on Saturday, Oct. 3, when they host Navy at Falcon Stadium in a nationally televised matchup on CBS.
The latest design continues one of the most unique uniform traditions in college football, combining Air Force's football identity with the aircraft, units and history that define the United States Air Force.
The B-21 Raider is designed to be a penetrating strike stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons. It will eventually form the backbone of the future Air Force bomber fleet alongside the B-52 Stratofortress.
Air Force's 2026 uniform brings that futuristic identity onto the football field through a collection of aviation-inspired details. The backplates feature two concepts central to the B-21 and modern airpower: deterrence and power projection.
Deterrence represents maintaining a force so capable, ready and credible that an adversary never considers going to war. Power projection represents the ability to rapidly deploy airpower anywhere in the world, through contested airspace and at any time.
The Falcons have packed the uniform with references to the organizations responsible for developing, testing and operating America's next generation of airpower.
Patches recognize Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees the nation's strategic bomber fleet and intercontinental ballistic missile force, as well as the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base and Air Force Materiel Command.
The 412th Test Wing manages developmental and combined testing for the B-21 through its 420th Flight Test Squadron.
One of the standout details is the use of a red towel across the uniform. The red fabric is inspired by the familiar "Remove Before Flight" warning found on aircraft components. The warning indicates that a protective cover, pin or other safety device must be removed before an aircraft takes flight.
The B-21 becomes the latest chapter in a series that has become one of college football's most anticipated annual uniform releases.
Air Force launched the Air Power Legacy Series in 2016, when the Falcons honored the iconic tiger shark teeth nose art found on military aircraft dating back to World War II.
Since then, the series has celebrated some of the most recognizable aircraft, units and people in Air Force history.
2016: Tiger Shark
2017: F-35 Lightning II
2018: AC-130 Gunship
2019: C-17 Globemaster III
2020: Tuskegee Airmen
2021: B-52 Stratofortress
2022: U.S. Space Force
2023: Doolittle Raiders
2024: Air Force Special Operations Command
2025: F-16 Fighting Falcon
2026: B-21 Raider
The series has increasingly balanced the history of the Air Force with the future of aviation. This year's B-21 theme continues that evolution in perhaps the most literal way yet.
The B-21 Raider uniform will make its on-field debut when Air Force hosts Navy on Oct. 3 at Falcon Stadium.
Another year, another piece of Air Force history, and this time, the Falcons are looking ahead.
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