Northrop Grumman and Rockwell Collins say they have proved that a prototype digital cockpit display for the B-2 bomber “can accurately replicate the functions of the jet’s current analog displays.” In an Aug. 12 Northrop release, Dave Mazur, VP of long range strike, said the new digital display is “the foundation for an all-digital B-2 cockpit in the future” that would “significantly ease the workload of B-2 pilots while increasing their overall mission effectiveness.” Rockwell has begun the next phase of development, a year-long effort to produce a form-fit-function prototype and further refine the design.
Depot-level maintenance took longer than expected for nearly three-quarters of Air Force aircraft from fiscal 2019-2024, according to a new report, as unplanned repairs rise across the aging fleet. The report, from the Government Accountability Office, also found that the extent of the delays has been masked because officials often revise their target timelines after unplanned work occurs.