Lockheed Martin Awarded Contract for B-2 Bomber Enhancements
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract worth $56,406,399 by the US Air Force to upgrade the Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) receivers of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The firm-fixed-price, fixed-quantity contract was officially granted on September 2, 2025, and will focus on enhancing the stealth aircraft’s capabilities against modern air defense systems.
Program Details and Location
The program will be conducted at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Owego, New York. Expected to last six years, the project does not include any option periods. The performances are scheduled to commence at the end of September and are anticipated to conclude by August 31, 2031. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in Oklahoma City is the contracting authority on behalf of the US Air Force.
Enhancing B-2 Spirit’s Survivability
As air defense technologies evolve, the B-2 Spirit must upgrade its ECM receivers to ensure continued operational effectiveness. These upgrades aim to enhance the aircraft’s ability to evade detection by employing advanced electronic systems. Congressman Nick Langworth highlighted the investment’s significance and Lockheed Martin’s role in maintaining the B-2 fleet.
Lockheed Martin’s Expertise in Electronic Warfare
Lockheed Martin has a well-established electronic warfare portfolio, with products spanning aerial, naval, and ground-based applications. The company has developed over 3,000 airborne electronic warfare systems, offering various anti-jamming features. Current products include:
- AN/ALQ-210 for US Navy MH-60R helicopters
- AN/ALQ-217 for US Navy E-2C/D aircraft
- AN/APR-48B digital receiver for the Army Apache AH-64D/E
- AN/APR-52 for the USAF HH-60W Pave Hawk
| Military Aircraft | Lockheed ECM Receiver |
|---|---|
| United States Navy MH-60R Seahawk | AN/ALQ-210 |
| United States Navy E-2C/D Hawkeye | AN/ALQ-217 |
| Army AH-64D/E Apache | AN/APR-48B |
| United States Air Force HH-60W Pave Hawk | AN/APR-52 |
Future-Proofing the First Stealth Bomber
The upgrades aim to sustain the B-2 Spirit as a strategic asset until the B-21 Raider becomes fully operational. Lockheed Martin’s selection underscores its expertise in electronic warfare avionics upgrades, having previously modernized the B-2’s computer systems. Northrop Grumman, while facing challenges with previous B-2 upgrades, remains focused on the upcoming B-21 Raider, indicating Lockheed Martin’s current advantage in this domain.
