Air Force Bomber Contract Awarded (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Oct. 28, 2015 |
| Report Number |
IN10384 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Gertler, Jeremiah |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Following cancellation of the previous Next-Generation Bomber program in 2009, Air Force and Department of Defense officials conducted a 'front-end analysis' looking at different concepts to accomplish the long-range strike mission. Options included large aircraft carrying long-range standoff weaponry, conventionally armed ballistic missiles, air- and sea-launched cruise missiles, and other configurations. The resulting LRS-B [Long Range Strike Bomber], approved by Defense Secretary Robert Gates in 2011, is an optionally-manned penetrating bomber. Although the specific design remains classified and was not disclosed, the LRS-B was designed around three specific capabilities: 1. A large and flexible payload bay capable of carrying a full range of current and future armament. 2. Range, although classified, was another significant criterion. 3. Projected average procurement unit cost of $550 million per plane in FY2010 dollars, which was announced publicly to encourage competing manufacturers to constrain their designs. The unit cost was a key performance parameter in the program, meaning that inability to reach that price could disqualify a bid. (That price is based on acquisition of 100 aircraft; variations in quantity may affect actual unit cost.) At the award announcement, the independent cost estimate for Northrop's winning bid was revealed to be $511 million per plane, equivalent to $564 million in FY2016 dollars. Initial LRS-Bs will be manned, with unmanned operation possible several years after initial operational capability (IOC). Nuclear qualification will also take two years or so after IOC. Few technical details were revealed at the time of contract award. No mention was made of speed, although the combination of long range, large payload, and cost constraints strongly suggest LRS-B will be subsonic.
