Northrop Wins Contract to Build US Future Stealth Bomber, With F-35 Spending And Our Economy, Is This Still A Good Idea???

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:35:55 -0400

This is expected to be the single largest defense contract over the next decade since the F-35 award (Lockheed-Martin), and it would be the first new U.S. bomber to be developed since the Cold War. Considering our current economy, do you think this is a good decision?

Northrop Grumman Corp. won a major contract to build the U.S. military’s future fleet of stealth bombers, the Pentagon announced.
A team led by Northrop, maker of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and drone aircraft, beat out another led by Boeing Co., the world's largest aerospace company, and Lockheed Martin Corp., the world's largest defense contractor, for the award as part of the U.S. Air Force's Long Range Strike Bomber, or LRS-B, program.
The $21.4 billion initial contract -- the most significant since the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter award more than a decade ago -- was disclosed on Tuesday evening with the Defense Department daily contract announcements. Defense Department and Air Force leaders later discussed the agreement during a press conference at the Pentagon.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said the bomber will "deliver capabilities across the full range of military operations against the most technologically advanced opponents."
The next-generation bomber will be designed to fight through surface-to-air missiles, as well as electronic and information attack. It will also accommodate lasers and directed-energy systems, hypersonic missiles and other new and emerging technologies.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said the new bomber will allow the service to "launch from the continental United States airstrikes that would be able to strike any location in the world."
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said, "The LRS-B will provide our nation tremendous flexibility as a dual-capable bomber and the strategic agility to respond and adapt faster than our potential adversaries."
The Air Force currently has 158 bombers, including 76 B-52 Stratofortresses, 63 B-1 Lancers and 20 B-2 Spirits, yet with the exception of the latter, many of the planes are susceptible to precision-guided weapons developed by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
The existing bombers are also aging. Three generations of airman have flown the B-52 in combat, from Vietnam to Afghanistan, and the newest B-52 is more than a half-century old.
The service has said it wants to buy between 80 and 100 new bombers at no more than $550 million apiece to replace its aging fleet of B-52 Stratofortresses made by Boeing Co. and a least a portion of its B-1 fleet.
That latest unit cost is estimated at $511 million per plane in fiscal 2010 dollars, according to Bill LaPlante, head of Air Force acquisition. Adjusted for inflation, the unit cost is $564 million per plane in 2016 dollars, assuming an order of 100 aircraft, he said.
The program is estimated to cost at least $42 billion over the next decade alone, making it a critical contract for Northrop, which is based in Falls Church, Virginia, to secure its place in the combat aircraft market.
"The Air Force has made the right decision for our nation's security," Wes Bush, the company's chief executive officer. "As the company that developed and delivered the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, we look forward to providing the Air Force with a highly-capable and affordable next-generation Long-Range Strike Bomber."
He added, "Our team has the resources in place to execute this important program, and we’re ready to get to work."
The contract calls for the company to develop the first 21 production aircraft, along with associated engineering and manufacturing work. The planes are scheduled to begin flying in an operational capacity in 2025.
It wasn't immediately clear whether Boeing and Lockheed plan to protest the award, a move that has become increasingly common as defense contractors compete for tightening defense dollars.
The Boeing-Lockheed team said it was "disappointed" by the decision.
"We will have further discussions with our customer before determining our next steps," Boeing said in a statement. "We are interested in knowing how the competition was scored in terms of price and risk, as we believe that the combination of Boeing and Lockheed Martin offers unparalleled experience, capability and resources for this critically important recapitalization program."
Note: This story has been updated with additional information from the press conference and company statements.
--Brendan McGarry can be reached at [login to see] .

Northrop Wins Contract to Build US Military's Future Stealth Bomber

Northrop Grumman Corp. won the contract to build the U.S. military’s future fleet of stealth bombers, the Pentagon announced.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 27 at 2015 9:40 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:40:56 -0400

MSgt Curtis Ellis its ok, both are great companies. I prefer Boeing because I have been to the company and know they are the world leader in avation technology. Nonetheless, great aircraft!

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Oct 27 at 2015 9:49 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:49:00 -0400

Air supremacy isn't cheap.
I just hope there is better cost control here than the F-35.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 7:26 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 07:26:22 -0400

Our bombers are super old. We will definitely need something in the future to start replacing our aging fleet, but hopefully this program goes better financially than the F-35.

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Oct 28 at 2015 9:43 AM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:43:51 -0400

I think this was overdue and hopefully lessons were learned from the F-35 acquisition to keep the cost down. Even if there were secret handshakes and backdoor deals the choice of manufacturer was optimum as it will keep Northrop Grumman in the business of building planes. More companies, more employment and greater competition.

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made Oct 28 at 2015 11:35 AM

SSgt Donnavon Smith — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 11:35:04 -0400

The Boeing bird looked better, and I am a Buff/C-17 guy so I am partial to Boeing. but I cannot find the specs so my opinion is purely aesthetic

Response by SSgt Paul Esquibel made Oct 29 at 2015 9:02 AM

SSgt Paul Esquibel — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:02:18 -0400

I think if they can produce the satisfied results within the contract it's fine unlike all the problems that happened with the F-35, however your right is questioning at this current time with spending as with a rising national deficit we should be conserving vs spending until a time to be determined that it's acceptable to invest in a new aircraft.

Response by SSG Arron Daniels made Oct 31 at 2015 1:18 PM

SSG Arron Daniels — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 13:18:12 -0400

I am clearly bias in this conversation, but here are my two cents as objectively as I possibly can. But first a disclaimer: I know nothing of the program as it's a highly classified project. I do NOT represent Northrop Grumman in any official capacity regarding this project or any other classified projects. My opinions do not represent Northrop Grumman Corporation but only myself.

1. Keep in mind the age of our current bomber stealth bomber. It's over 30 years old. Other nations have consistently move forward with their own black projects. It's a good way to stay in the fight and stay abreast/ahead.

2. The cost of that program was a pretty big number to me originally. But the B2 Spirit cost was in the mid 40Bn range. This project is supposed to be about the same. Advancement in technology for 30 years and accounting for inflation I would say that's very "reasonable" given the supremacy that it reflects and the price tag.

3. This project will create jobs as well across the nation. Think of all the work that has to go into a program like this that's "guaranteed" work for thousands of people.

4. I think the Air Force would love a new toy.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 4:13 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 16:13:44 -0500

As a retired Buff nav and SAC staffer I know the value of manned bombers. I am just tired of Boeing protesting every acquisition. If their bid and proposal team was as good as the protest team they might win a contract out right.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 5:35 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 17:35:43 -0500

From a coatings perspective this is the same company that developed the B-2 and has continually kept improving on the Low Observable coatings to keep it updated. As long as the company implements what they learned on the B-2 and improve on that I don't see any problems. Even in the development stages I don't see this spiraling out of control like Lockheed does on all there jets. If you look at the jet they put up against the F-22 the YF-23 it was designed to be worked on at the Unit level and also used existing parts all ready in the supply system. In that thought I see them doing the same thing with there current project. Yes, with any new project there will be things that go wrong but there track record and how the company is ran this is looking promising.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 12 at 2015 8:19 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 20:19:31 -0500

We already have the finest aircraft that corruption in government can buy. I'd rather see future investments in personnel