Boeing has received a follow-on contract from the U.S. Air Force for additional upgrades of the Rockwell (Boeing) B-1 Lancer bomber fleet’s avionics software.
The $57 million contract continues a software-sustainment program that has updated and improved the B-1’s sustainability and operational capabilities since the aircraft entered service in 1989. Usually, one avionics software block is in development while another is in test and a third is fielded on the fleet of 66 B-1s. This new agreement authorizes Boeing to start work on Sustainment Block 16A (SB 16A).
SB 16A includes changes to the aircraft’s navigation, weapon delivery, radar, diagnostics, electrical multiplexing, communication/navigation management system software, and controls and displays. SB 16A will further improve the B-1 crew’s situational awareness, using the new color cockpit displays, data link, and sensor capabilities added by recently awarded production contract programs.
Design and development work will begin immediately.
Source: Boeing