Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III discussed the state of the Air Force during a press conference at the Pentagon March 7.
During the press conference, both leaders acknowledged a lot has happened since the last „State of the Air Force” address in August 2015, pointing to the need for the Air Force to modernize aircraft to provide warfighters with enhanced capabilities.
One example of the service’s effort to modernize is the B-21. James said in the case of the 21st century bomber the Air Force is leaning forward and trying to be more transparent.
„We’ve given the bomber a designation, shown you an artist’s rendering, given a detailed explanation of the acquisition approach, and told you how we’ll hold down costs,” James said.
James also announced that Airmen and families can now go online and submit their idea for naming the B-21 by clicking here.
As part of her remarks, the secretary also shared the list of seven sub-contractors who will be working with Northrop Grumman in building the first bomber of the 21st century. The list includes: BAE Systems, GKN Aerospace, Janicki Industries, Orbital ATK, Pratt & Whitney, Rockwell Collins, and Spirit Aerosystems.
„We have an outstanding relationship with Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force. We are excited to begin a new chapter as Northrop Grumman places their trust in a Pratt & Whitney-powered B-21 to meet U.S. Air Force mission requirements,” said Bennett Croswell, president, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. „We look forward to working together with Northrop Grumman and with the U.S. Air Force to deliver a highly capable propulsion system for the B-21.”
Pratt & Whitney Official Statement On B-21 Program
Pratt & Whitney is proud to have been selected as the propulsion provider by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Air Force B-21 Bomber Program. The company has made significant investment in research and development to mature critical technologies applicable to the B-21 platform. Combining this investment with our fielded fifth generation experience with F119 and F135 engines, Pratt & Whitney is technology-ready for the B-21 development program. We are prepared to work with Northrop Grumman to develop and field a B-21 weapon system that fulfills Air Force mission requirements.
Source / Author: Pratt & Whitney
Photo: Pratt & Whitney / USAF