Conti Federal Awarded $49.8 Million Contract to Build B-21 Raider Environmental Protection Shelters
Conti Federal Services, LLC has secured a $49.8 million contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District, to construct new Environmental Protection Shelters (EPS) at Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB) in South Dakota. The project represents another major milestone in the ongoing modernization of the U.S. Air Force and further strengthens Conti Federal’s role in supporting the deployment of the next-generation B-21 Raider strategic bomber.
The latest award marks Conti Federal’s tenth contract associated with the Air Force’s B-21 Raider bed-down program, highlighting the company’s growing involvement in one of the most significant defense infrastructure initiatives currently underway in the United States. As the Air Force prepares to introduce the B-21 Raider into active service, substantial investments are being made to ensure military installations are equipped with the specialized facilities required to support the advanced aircraft.
The Environmental Protection Shelter project forms an essential part of this broader infrastructure effort. Once completed, the shelters will provide dedicated facilities designed to protect B-21 aircraft from adverse weather conditions and environmental exposure while parked on the flightline. By improving aircraft protection outside traditional enclosed hangars, the project will help preserve the fleet, reduce maintenance requirements, and enhance long-term operational readiness.
Under the terms of the contract, Conti Federal will construct six new pre-engineered metal Environmental Protection Shelters totaling approximately 20,000 square feet. In addition to the shelters themselves, the project includes the construction of three maintenance kiosks, installation of all required airfield paving, development of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) paving, and the partial demolition and repair of existing facilities located within the project area.
The work is intended to create a modern support environment capable of meeting the operational requirements of the Air Force’s newest strategic bomber while improving the overall efficiency of flightline operations at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
The B-21 Raider represents the next generation of long-range stealth bombers developed for the United States Air Force. Designed to replace portions of the aging bomber fleet, the aircraft incorporates advanced stealth technologies, improved survivability, and greater operational flexibility. Unlike previous generations of stealth aircraft, the B-21 has been engineered with more durable stealth materials that require less intensive environmental protection during routine operations.
These technological advancements allow the aircraft to remain parked in specially designed Environmental Protection Shelters rather than relying exclusively on fully enclosed, climate-controlled hangars. This approach provides the Air Force with a more flexible and cost-effective infrastructure solution while maintaining the protection necessary to preserve the aircraft’s advanced capabilities.
The Environmental Protection Shelters are specifically designed to shield the B-21 Raider from harsh weather conditions such as rain, snow, wind, hail, excessive sunlight, and other environmental factors that can contribute to aircraft wear over time. By limiting direct exposure to the elements, the shelters help reduce maintenance requirements, extend the service life of aircraft components, and improve overall fleet availability.
Military planners also expect the shelters to reduce the need for expensive climate-controlled hangars, freeing valuable hangar space for maintenance activities while lowering long-term infrastructure and operating costs. This strategy supports the Air Force’s objective of maximizing operational efficiency while maintaining high levels of aircraft readiness.
Beyond protecting aircraft, the new facilities will also enhance day-to-day flightline operations. The accompanying maintenance kiosks and expanded paving infrastructure will improve access for maintenance crews, support vehicles, and specialized ground support equipment, allowing personnel to perform inspections and servicing more efficiently.
Ground Support Equipment paving included in the project will create designated operational areas for vehicles and equipment required to support aircraft operations, helping streamline logistics and improve safety across the installation. The project also includes upgrades to existing infrastructure through selective demolition and repair work, ensuring seamless integration between the new facilities and the current base layout.
Ellsworth Air Force Base serves as one of the primary installations selected to host the B-21 Raider as part of the Air Force’s long-term modernization strategy. Significant construction efforts are underway across the installation to prepare for the arrival of the aircraft, including maintenance facilities, training centers, operational buildings, aircraft parking aprons, utilities, and supporting infrastructure.
As these projects progress, Ellsworth is expected to become one of the central operating locations for the B-21 fleet, playing a vital role in future U.S. strategic deterrence and global defense operations.
Conti Federal has emerged as one of the key construction partners supporting this transformation. Through multiple contracts awarded under the B-21 bed-down program, the company has demonstrated its capability to deliver highly specialized military construction projects while coordinating numerous complex activities occurring simultaneously across active military installations.
Successfully managing multiple concurrent projects requires careful planning, strict safety standards, and close collaboration with military stakeholders to minimize disruption to ongoing base operations while meeting demanding construction schedules.
Korey Mullins, Vice President of U.S. Operations at Conti Federal, said the latest contract reflects the continued confidence placed in the company’s team by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He noted that securing a tenth project under the B-21 Raider program demonstrates the effectiveness of Conti Federal’s enterprise approach to managing large-scale military construction initiatives.
According to Mullins, the company remains committed to providing disciplined program management, maintaining strong partnerships with local contractors and suppliers, and delivering high-quality construction that supports the Air Force’s long-term modernization objectives. He emphasized that each completed project contributes directly to strengthening the nation’s defense infrastructure and ensuring the successful deployment of the B-21 Raider.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, continues to oversee many of the major infrastructure improvements supporting the B-21 bed-down program. Working closely with the Air Force, the Corps is responsible for planning, managing, and delivering the facilities required to support the new bomber fleet at selected military bases across the country.
These construction projects represent significant investments in national defense infrastructure, ensuring that future operational requirements can be met efficiently while providing military personnel with modern facilities capable of supporting advanced aircraft systems.
As the Air Force continues transitioning toward the B-21 Raider, infrastructure projects such as the Environmental Protection Shelters will play an increasingly important role in maintaining mission readiness. By reducing maintenance downtime, protecting aircraft from environmental damage, and improving operational efficiency, the new facilities will help ensure the B-21 fleet remains prepared for rapid deployment whenever required.
The latest contract further reinforces Conti Federal’s position as a trusted partner in federal and military construction. With an expanding portfolio of defense projects and extensive experience delivering secure, mission-critical infrastructure, the company continues to contribute to some of the nation’s most important military modernization initiatives. As work progresses at Ellsworth Air Force Base, the Environmental Protection Shelters will become another key component supporting the successful introduction and long-term sustainment of the Air Force’s next-generation strategic bomber fleet.
