The Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded Boeing Co. $46,719,474 for seven Combat Network Communication Technology upgrade kits and support equipment for the U.S. Air Force’s long-range strategic B-52 bomber, the DOD announced last Friday. According to the announcement, "this contract also provides for 21 retrofit kits to convert previously purchased B-52 Combat Network Communication Technology kits from a low-rate initial production configuration to the full-rate production configuration." The communications technology upgrade will allow the aircraft to receive updated information during missions, and according to Boeing, "the system provides increased situational awareness for B-52 crews by adding several communication data links and full-color LCD displays with real-time intelligence feeds overlaid on moving maps." Awarded via sole-source acquisition, the work is scheduled for completion by May 2017.
Boeing Awarded $46.7M for B-52 Communications Tech Upgrades
B-21 developments: new Utah facility and Missouri storage
Northrop Grumman has opened a new manufacturing facility in Utah as the Air Force increases B-21 Raider production capacity, backed by billions of dollars in procurement funding for the next-generation nuclear-capable bomber. The company opened its 845,000-square-foot East Gate 3 facility in Layton, Utah, Sept. 9., according to a company release. The expansion brings Northrop’s […]