The U.S. Air Force awarded L3Harris Technologies a $34 million contract to assist in modernizing the B-52 Stratofortress bomber.
The Air Force’s Global Strike Command B-52 Quad Crew Program, which aims to combine the roles of navigator and electronic warfare officer into one, includes the medal. A crew of five, consisting of two pilots, two navigators, and an electronic warfare officer, now operates the B-52H.
“Our company’s top priority is to transform the iconic B-52 bomber into a more capable platform that can continue to operate through 2050,” stated Ed Zoiss, President of L3Harris’ Space and Airborne Systems. “This contract represents a significant advancement for the country’s strategic bomber operators and their mission to launch worldwide strikes.”
The control and display unit panels will be relocated to the navigator station as part of the merging of the two crew stations. In order to determine any effects on the B-52 airframe and guide the design of the modification kit, the cooperative effort with the customer-led Crew Station Working Group will involve a number of analyses, including aircraft weight and balance, structural and electrical load study, and thermal cooling.
The Original Equipment Manufacturer of the AN/ALQ-172 systems for this aircraft fleet, L3Harris has been supplying vital B-52 technology for decades. In order to combat the constantly shifting threat scenario, the business continues to assist the Air Force in advancing its capabilities from analog to digital solutions.
