Artist’s conception of 2018 bomber by Erik Simonsen.
Rival defense companies join forces to build next generation bomber:
Boeing and Lockheed Martin, the two largest defense contractors in the U.S., have agreed to form a joint team to compete against Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation long-range bomber, the companies announced Friday. The Air Force is expected to announce late in 2009 its precise requirements for a new bomber that it wants by 2018…. Air Force officials have publicly indicated that they will likely want a manned, subsonic bomber with about 2,000 miles unrefueled combat radius and bomb payload capacity of between 14,000 and 28,000 pounds. The aircraft would be expected to fly for the first time around 2016.
Yeah, but how much would it cost? The B-2 Spirit is the most advanced bomber ever constructed, but we could only afford 21 airframes. If this new bomber is to replace the ancient B-52 and, presumably, the B-1B, simply buying a single squadron of the things won’t be enough. If the Air Force follows the recent defense acquisition trend, it will anticipate buying 50-60 next generation bombers and maybe come out with two dozen once the assembly line closes (see the Littoral Combat Ship and F-22). I’m no acquisitions wonk, but the idea of two defense companies building one bomber sounds twice as expensive.
