Boeing Gets $70.6M Order for B-52H Communications Upgrade

B-52H Stratofortress(click to view full) 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… B-52H JDAM test(click to view full) 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 […]