Northrop Grumman on Tuesday won the Pentagon contract to build a fleet of stealthy planes known as the Long Range Strike Bomber, a new generation of aircraft designed to reach deep into enemy territory.Northrop beat out a team of Boeing and Lockheed Martin in the high-stakes competition for a project likely to be one of the Pentagon’s most significant over the next decade.In announcing the award, valued at nearly $60 billion, Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said the program represents a “technological leap” that will allow the United States to “remain dominant.”The bomber, which will be capable of carrying nuclear weapons, is a “strategic investment for the next 50 years,” Carter said.
Source: Northrop Grumman wins Long Range Strike Bomber contract – The Washington Post
Northrup Grumman’s experience with the B-2 likely gave them the inside edge. Lockheed, Boeing’s partner in their bid, obviously has more recent experience with the state of the art in signature reduction, via the F-22 and F-35, but the B-2 is still the gold standard in stealth.
As for Boeing, sure, they have a long history of building bombers. But it’s just that, history. From the B-17 in 1937 to the last B-52 in 1962, Boeing was synonymous with American bombers. But that’s a quarter century of production. And that was over half a century ago.
Have to say, my first, gut reaction, was “Holy Crap.” Boeing being synonymous, yada yada yada. But, your post makes sense. Good for Northrop Grumman.
Well, on a good note, we’ve now identified the plaintiffs in the pending litigation.
I’m sure LockMart and Boeing will protest. LockMart has been making a career of it. Frankly, given the Lockheed experience of the last 45 years, I’d just as soon they went away.
QM – I’m still pissed at LockMart over some bullshit they pulled with artists a few years ago, calling it trademark infringement that someone made and sold a 3D model of a B24 Liberator. They’ve done the same thing with other artists and other models, but this is probably the most egregious one.
http://boingboing.net/2008/03/21/wwii-bomber-trademar.html