The Air Force has awarded a contract worth up to $2 billion to Boeing to serve as the product integrator for work on the service’s fleet of four E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft. Boeing has provided logistics support, engineering services, and technical order support for the E-4B, which is a modified Boeing 747, for 25 years, say company officials. Boeing will work with L3 Communications, Rockwell Collins, and Greenpoint Technology to bring multiple contracts under a “single contracting vehicle” to reduce cost.
General Atomics, the maker of one of the Air Force’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has ambitious plans for its family of semi-autonomous drones beyond the FQ-42, including a flying-wing aircraft capable of carrying out both reconnaissance and strike missions. Meanwhile, the Air Force Research Laboratory announced a new program to…