Published: Saturday, January 26, 2008
Boeing will co-develop new bomber
ST. LOUIS -- The Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. said Friday they are teaming up to research and develop an anticipated program to build the U.S. Air Force's next-generation long-range bomber.
The Air Force has yet to firm up its requirements for the new bomber but Boeing and Lockheed Martin already hope to get ahead of the competition in the bid to design and build the new aircraft. "There will be a program," Boeing spokesman Chris Haddox said. "It's a matter of when."
The Air Force has said it's looking to have a "next generation" long-range bomber by 2018. It has publicly stated what it's looking for in requirements, although that could change.
The Air Force has said it needs a subsonic, manned bomber that could travel 2,000 miles before refueling. It says the system also should have a weapons payload for up to 28,000 pounds of bombs.
The current bomber fleet is aging. The most recent B2 bomber technology started in the 1970s, with its first delivery in the early 1990s, Haddox said.
It could be 12 to 18 months before the Air Force makes the requirements for the Bomber 2018 known. Haddox said the collaboration is an attempt to get ahead of the game.
The Air Force has yet to firm up its requirements for the new bomber but Boeing and Lockheed Martin already hope to get ahead of the competition in the bid to design and build the new aircraft. "There will be a program," Boeing spokesman Chris Haddox said. "It's a matter of when."
The Air Force has said it's looking to have a "next generation" long-range bomber by 2018. It has publicly stated what it's looking for in requirements, although that could change.
The Air Force has said it needs a subsonic, manned bomber that could travel 2,000 miles before refueling. It says the system also should have a weapons payload for up to 28,000 pounds of bombs.
The current bomber fleet is aging. The most recent B2 bomber technology started in the 1970s, with its first delivery in the early 1990s, Haddox said.
It could be 12 to 18 months before the Air Force makes the requirements for the Bomber 2018 known. Haddox said the collaboration is an attempt to get ahead of the game.
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