The Air Force has awarded Boeing a $57 million contract authorizing the company to begin working on sustainment block 16A for the service’s B-1 fleet. These upgrades will include changes to the bombers’ navigation, weapons delivery, radar, diagnostics, electrical multiplexing, communication, and navigation-management system software, and controls and displays, according to a company release. “The B-1 continues to be used daily in combat operations,” said Rick Greenwell, Boeing’s B-1 program director. “Keeping the platform relevant and ready is more important now than ever. These annual software block upgrades enhance the sustainability of the B-1s and provide needed capabilities that aid this nation’s defenders.” The block 16A upgrades will complement the new color cockpit displays, data link, and sensor capabilities included in previous upgrade packages, adding to the crew’s situational awareness, states the release.
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.