The US Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a lucrative contract worth up to $7 billion for the sustainment and enhancement of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet, as announced by the Pentagon. This contract, set to run through 2029, aims to ensure the continued operational capabilities of the iconic B-2 bomber until its planned retirement in the early 2030s.

Northrop Grumman, in partnership with the Air Force, is committed to maintaining the mission readiness of the B-2 Spirit fleet. The $7 billion Flexible Acquisition Sustainment Team III contract will cover a range of enhancements, sustainment efforts, and logistics support, including sustaining engineering, software maintenance, and support equipment.

With each B-2 Spirit aircraft costing over $2 billion, the fleet remains one of the most expensive military planes ever built. Originally fielded in limited numbers due to high costs, the fleet currently consists of 20 bombers, with plans to replace them with the B-21 Raider, also developed by Northrop Grumman.

The recent contract award could translate to approximately $350 million per plane over the contract period, indicating a significant investment in the sustainment and modernization of the B-2 fleet. The Air Force is expected to transition to a two-bomber fleet with the introduction of the B-21 Raider, which will replace both the B-2 and the Boeing B-1 Lancer in the coming years.

As the Air Force looks ahead to the future of its bomber fleet, the focus remains on ensuring operational effectiveness and readiness through strategic investments and modernization efforts.