Northrop Grumman, U.S. Air Force Demonstrate Improved 'Smart' Weapon for B-2 Stealth Bomber

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 31, 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the U.S. Air Force have successfully demonstrated the integration of a munition on the B-2 stealth bomber that incorporates an improved, penetrating warhead with an upgraded guidance kit.

"The demonstration represents another example of our commitment to maintain the B-2's flexibility to employ a variety of advanced weapons," said Mike Galaway, director of B-2 product development and delivery at Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "We also want to ensure that the nation's No. 1 long-range strike asset remains the most versatile and lethal bomber in the inventory."

During the demonstration at the Utah Test and Training Range at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, a B-2 delivered a live GBU-28C/B bomb with a new BLU-122 warhead, destroying the target. The 5,000-pound GBU-28C/B is a follow-on to the EGBU-28B/B that was successfully integrated on the B-2 in 2003. Improvements to the GBU-28C/B allow it to penetrate the target more deeply. The BLU-122 warhead and the upgraded guidance kit were integrated by Raytheon Missile Systems.

As the B-2 prime contractor, Northrop Grumman is responsible for integrating weapons with the B-2 system. Northrop Grumman has now successfully completed the key objectives associated with a $5.4 million contract awarded by the Air Force in February 2005 for GBU-28C/B integration.

Northrop Grumman and the Air Force are also working on several projects to improve the B-2's communications, radar and weapons capabilities to enhance the aircraft's ability to respond to emerging worldwide threats. Other projects include a new active electronically scanned array radar antenna, a Link-16 communications system and an upgraded onboard computer processor.

What you can't see can hurt you.

Gee....I wonder why we would be upgrading our deep earth penetrating ability now of all time?


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Damn. What I would give to fly one of those.

Friggen Gunney from Mail Call got a ride.

next day bumpage.....

Quoted: Damn. What I would give to fly one of those. Friggen Gunney from Mail Call got a ride.

+1

I can't tell you how insanely jealous of that man I am.

For everything except kissing Jack Black that is.  

Paying attention Iran?

Hi Ho Hi Ho off to Iran it goes

Quoted: Gee....I wonder why we would be upgrading our deep earth penetrating ability now of all time? ...

I RAN it through the computer and come up empty.

Quoted: Gee....I wonder why we would be upgrading our deep earth penetrating ability now of all time? ...

Damn Molemen  

Quoted: I RAN it through the computer and come up empty.

How deep does it penetrate I wonder?

And is the diameter large enough to accept a B-61 physics package...