The Air Force awarded Boeing a $65.8 million contract for Lot 2 production of integrated battle stations for the B-1B bomber fleet, announced the company. Under this production lot, Boeing will supply IBS kits for nine B-1s, according to the company’s July 20 release. This upgrade is designed to improve the aircrew’s situational awareness and communications capabilities via updated front and aft cockpits, a new diagnostics system, and new Link 16 data links. This contract builds upon the Lot 1 contract for four IBS kits from June 2011. Boeing said it will begin installing the Lot 1 kits this fall at its facility in Oklahoma City, Okla. The IBS upgrade is slated for completion on the entire B-1 fleet in 2019, according to the company.
For the Air Force and Space Force, an influx of additional resources could be an opportunity to accelerate a massive modernization portfolio and ramp up aircraft and satellite production, defense analysts and former officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
