The planned addition between now and 2020 of a range of new weapons to the B-52—USAF’s versatile and oldest bomb truck—is underway, according to a June 16 Pentagon contract announcement. The Air Force awarded Boeing $150 million to kick-start the effort, known as Smart Weapons Integration Next Generation (SWING) Program. First up will be integration of the Miniature Air Launched Decoy, followed by such existing weapons as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range and MALD jammer, as well as new munitions, such as the Small Diameter Bomb and Boost Phase Interceptor. Under SWING, the Air Force expects Boeing to modify the bomber’s weapon delivery software and perform aircraft modifications to integrate each new weapon.
The Air Force said May 4 it has approved the T-7A Red Hawk trainer aircraft to move into low-rate production and awarded Boeing a $219 million contract to start building the first 14 production jets.