Northrop Grumman and the Air Force’s Electronic Systems Center signed a research and development agreement to develop network-centric operations capabilities, according a Northrop news release. Under the 24-month collaborative agreement, Northrop and the Air Force will use Northrop’s cyber warfare integration network, crew advanced virtual environment, and E-8X laboratories to further work on situation awareness and time-critical targeting. Northrop also will develop a “capstone demonstration plan leading to a live multi-platform network-centric operations demonstration,” according to Northrop.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
