LRS-B Decision
 

LRS-B (Long range strike bomber), decision reported to be announced after the stock market closes today (Tuesday 27th Oct).

Is the Air Force's Next Nuclear Bomber Trying to Get Itself Fired?

A joint bid between the 2 companies which are infamous for long-delayed and over-budget military aircraft projects sich as KC-767I, KC-46A and F-35? YGBSM - that'd be a disaster.

I'm not calling a winner, because we know that what we know we don't know is at least as important as what we do know, and that's before you take account of the stuff we do know that ain't so.

And you may quote me on that.

LM/b is my guess, but it's online in 15min
Live Stream 1

Northrop Grumman has won...

http://thediplomat.com/wp-content/up...35-386x257.jpg

Apparently $1/2Bn each for 100 aircraft!!!

Northrop Grumman Wins Air Force's Long Range Strike Bomber Contract

WASHINGTON – Northrop Grumman has won the contract to build the US Air Force’s next-generation Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B), an industry-shaping deal that breathes new life into the world's sixth-largest defense company.......

Speaking at the announcement, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said the bomber would "allow the Air Force to operate in tomorrow's high-end threat environment" and praised the work that went into the selection, in a move that sounded like a preemptive shot to any attempt by Boeing and Lockheed to challenge the award decision.

James said service acquisition officials “carefully considered” the offers from both teams, with the entire process carried out “with a high level of transparency with our industrial partners… we believe our decision represents the best value for our nation.”

At the announcement, service officials revealed:

• According to Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, the military acquisition deputy, the two bomber teams offered up proposals with all industrial partners included — meaning providers for subcomponents such as engines have already been decided. However, Bunch said that information would remain secret for security reasons.
• Risk-reduction efforts cost $1.9 billion from FY11 to FY15.
• A tentative date for initial operating capability is 2025, although Gen. Robin Rand, commander of Global Strike Command, indicated that could change.
• While many have referred to the bomber as the “B-3” as shorthand, Rand’s office will have final say on the designation, which has not been reached.
• Air Force officials will make themselves open to Boeing and Lockheed as early as Friday for an explanation of why Northrop was selected, Bunch said.

What remains unknown at this time — details about the plane itself. The size, weight and payload remain unknowns, as do the extent of its stealth capabilities.

Good one ORAC.

unless they really screwed up the Bidding process they were always a probablity for this - if they didn't get it the US would be down to 2 advanced airframe builders

Interesting they have spent nearly $2bn on risk reduction in last 4 years. You might have expected some sort of Tech demo to have been developed or even flown for that much cash. A classified fly off under wraps perhaps?

Is it assumed to be subsonic again? Is it too early to exploit any of the hypersonic research? Is this manned or unmanned or tbd?

Stay tuned and do not adjust your set.

http://www.londonlee.com/chipshop/chippics/testcard.jpg

Hmmm.

Mysterious delta jet over Texas

'Mysterious low-flying delta jets' were frequently reported over Nebraska and Kansas half a century ago....

In the '70s, one confused redneck rang SAC at Omahaw complaining "Dangest thing ah ever saw. Didn't have no tail 'n the wings began at the nose!"

'twas the mighty tin triangle on an OB route, of course. Not that we ever chased lone redneck pick up trucks or overflew feed lots. No siree, Bob, not HM's FC Vulcans....



....very often :E!

Best to up the meds again Beagle.

Guess he never saw an F-102, F-106 or a B-58. :p

Boeing protest - as expected - but there seems little probability it will win. The speechifying from their supporters on the Hill should be entertaining......

Boeing Protests Northrop's Long Range Strike Bomber Contract

..and that, unlike in that case, both competitors happen to be US companies. :E

The fact that they're going with what appears to be a weak protest is worrisome, because it indicates that they don't care abut the GAO process per se. It's just a precursor to a political campaign.

Time for the Government Accounting Office to revisit all those requirements that have not been met on the JSF and new tanker and start working on what should be reimbursed to the American citizen.

The Sultan

But why wouldn't they? They managed to steal back the Tanker contract on a protest technicality, what are the chances the acquisition team broke the rules on this one as well - pretty high I would think. This is the US DoD, whoever turns up in court with the tallest pile of paper and the most lawyers wins.

Aviation Week has an interesting article on possible 'LRS Details'. It's behind a paywall.

This and several other articles they've published are very reminisce of their reporting in the months leading up to the F-117 coming out of the closet.

Some highlights:

All three bidders flew "Next-Generation Long-Range Strike Demonstrators'. A picture of what is said to be one of them is here: http://aviationweek.com/site-files/a...eanMuskett.jpg.

Two engines, 2500 mile unrefueled range
30000 pound payload - carry the 30,000 pound 'mother of all bombs'?
Managed by the same organization that did the F-117
Low rate production (6-8/year)
Engine selection unknown

And as an old EF-111A EWO, the mention of a rumor of a companion 'penetrating electronic attack system' made me happy.