The Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a contract with a total potential value of $9.9 billion for modernization and sustainment of the B-2 stealth bomber fleet out as far as May 2024. This Flexible Acquisition Sustainment Team II contract is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity arrangement covering B-2 enhancements, support equipment, and tasks like sustainment engineering and software maintenance, according to the contract write-up in the Pentagon’s list of major contracts for June 3. Also included are programmed depot maintenance and other interim contractor support. “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Air Force with the B-2. It is such an important [component] of our national security,” Northrop Grumman spokesman Brooks McKinney told Air Force Magazine on June 4. At the time of the contract award, the Air Force issued a $6.4 million task order for work on the B-2’s Common Very Low Frequency Receiver Increment 1.
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.