Northrop Grumman continues B-2 modernisation effort with new upgrades
26th Aug 2022 | In News | By Michael Tyrrell
Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force are continuing enhancements to the B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber fleet, the company has announced.
The new enhancements will provide new capability, including its first long-range stealth missile.
The B-2 successfully released a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER) during a flight test in December last year. The JASSM-ER enhances the B-2’s ability to hit any target, anywhere. The integration of JASSM-ER enables the delivery of a low observable asset capable of traveling greater distances than its predecessor.
JASSM-ER is one of three new advanced capabilities being introduced to the B-2 to further modernise the aircraft.
The B-2 fleet, capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear ordnance, is also integrating crypto modernisation and a Radar Aided Targeting System (RATS). The latest system advancements are part of integrated functional capability (IFC) P6.4, which was certified last year by USAF. RATS will complete the latest phase of nuclear modernisation of the B-2 Spirit.
“The unrivalled capabilities of the B-2 make it the only long range, penetrating stealth bomber currently in the U.S. arsenal,” said Shaugnessy Reynolds, vice president and B-2 programme manager, Northrop Grumman. “Committed to continued modernization of the B-2, we’re leveraging our company’s innovation in digital engineering and its decades of leadership in designing and maintaining low observable platforms to keep the B-2 Spirit mission ready.”
The integration of RATS allows the B-2 to fully employ the B-61 mod 12 nuclear bomb. RATS is the key element of the nuclear modernisation, as GPS may not be available during a bomber task force mission.
Crypto modernisation further improves the communications security of various high frequency transmissions. The B-2 may now securely utilise advanced communication devices in the future threat environment.
Earlier this year, Northrop Grumman conducted a successful communications flight test with modern cryptology at its Oklahoma City Weapons System Support Center site.
The capabilities of this IFC continue to position the B-2 fleet as a key component of the Department of Defense’s nuclear triad. It is also part of Northrop Grumman’s ongoing modernisation efforts leveraging 21st century technology incorporating digital engineering.
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