Boeing announced Thursday that it has received an $84 million contract from the Air Force to perform additional software upgrades of the B-1B bomber’s avionics. The new deal authorizes the company to commence work on sustainment block 16. “This major block will enhance the aircraft’s color cockpit displays, data link, radar, and navigation,” said Mahesh Reddy, Boeing’s B-1 program director. Boeing introduces new avionic software once a year on the B-1. SB 14 is in flight test at Edwards AFB, Calif., with delivery scheduled in 2011. SB 15 will be delivered in 2012.
The Air Force may be operating the oldest, smallest air fleet in its history, but it hasn’t stopped keeping those planes modernized and combat-effective against the latest weapons and threats. Josh Erlien, director of life cycle integration for Tactical Aircraft Electronic Warfare at BAE Systems, says his mission is to…