Northrop Grumman says it is “actively pursuing” options to develop a multi-platform radar technology insertion program radar with USAF, which had to end MP-RTIP development when it cancelled the E-10 program for lack of money. The Air Force has continued to work a reduced version for employment on the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle. However, a Northrop release says that it is offering a Wide Area Surveillance MP-RTIP radar for use on the E-8 Joint STARS surveillance aircraft. It says Congress is interested in the effort as a cruise missile defense capability.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.