Boeing Gets $70.6M Order for B-52H Communications Upgrade
Aug 02, 2009 12:26 EDT
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Boeing Co. in Wichita, KS received a $70.6 million modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (FA8107-05-C-0001) to enhance the in-theater combat communications of the B-52H bomber. This contract is part of the CONECT program.
At this time, $4.4 million has been obligated. 651 AESS/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio is the contracting activity. The B-52H, which went into service in 1961, is the only remaining B-52 model in use by the US Air Force…
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The B-52H Stratofortress remains the mainstay of the U.S. strategic bomber force, and in-theater combat communications improvements may allow it to make better use of advanced weapons like the JDAM.
The B-52H is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. It can carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. On-going modifications incorporate the global positioning system, heavy stores adapter beams for carrying 2,000 pound munitions, and an array of advance weapons currently under development.
All B-52Hs are equipped with an electro-optical viewing system that uses platinum silicide forward-looking infrared and high resolution low-light-level television sensors to augment targeting, battle assessment, and flight safety, thus further improving its combat ability and low-level flight capability.
