Northrop Grumman Wins Contract For America's New Bomber

Phew. Just as long as we keep cutting education funding, right?

The view from Seattle: http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/northrop-beats-boeing-for-crucial-pentagon-bomber-contract/

Why are they saying that this bomber will cost $ 560 million when the same article says that the total project costs $80 billion for 100 aircraft. Whatever, knowing what we know about all billion doar weapons programs end up costing almost 80% and being 4-5 years late I don't forsee the B3 program is going to be any better. Additionally I can not see how this new bomber can penétrate any and all defense rings in say Moscow or Beijing, they are going to get clobbered so instead DOD should devote time efforts and monyes in rocketry.

Have the protests been filed yet? Don't they all have "if we don't win" teams that have been working on the protest structure for a year or more?

Had Boing appointed Alan Mulally as its CEO instead of James McNerney in 2005, the success of the 777 program that he led would have been duplicated with the 787 program (it is still in the red to the tune of several billions), the tanker 767 or shall I say KC-46 program would have gone through smoothly (they are late and way above budget) and Boeing would have had a much better shot at getting the B3 contract, probably they would not have needed to team with Lockheed which has its own set of serious problems -cost and delivery- with the F-35 program.

To me the Northrop award shows the AF is serious about costs. Now waiting for a Boeing protest, though I think AF did their homework. This time.

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$80B Stealth Bomber Project Takes Flight

One of the most expensive projects in the Pentagon's history has been awarded to Northrop Grumman. The company won the bid to build the Long Range Strike-Bomber (LRS-B) at a cost that could top $80 billion.

http://www.newser.com/story/215158/80b-stealth-bomber-project-takes-flight.html

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Northrop Grumman wins LRS-B contract

The US Air Force has chosen Northrop Grumman to build America’s next stealth bomber in a landmark decision announced by service secretary Deborah Lee James at the Pentagon on 27 October.

Northrop’s victory in the $80 billion Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) competition has been described as “stunning upset” against the cashed-up team of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, and secures the B-2 creator’s place as a top-tier military aircraft manufacturer for decades to come.

The development contract includes options for the first 21 aircraft of what could become an at least 100-aircraft production run. Pentagon estimators place the cost of development at $23.5 billion in fiscal year 2016 dollars, and the aircraft itself valued at $564 million per copy.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/northrop-grumman-wins-lrs-b-contract-418278/