Northrop Grumman can now begin developing a new satellite communication system for the B-2 bomber that it says will enable the stealth bomber to “send and receive battlefield information up to 100 times faster than today.” A company statement says the Air Force approved the development plan, leading the way to system development and demonstration for the first increment in the modernization program, the Lockheed Martin-developed single, integrated processing unit to replace the bomber’s current flight management computers.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
