The Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract worth up to $21.9 million to provide planning for mission integration and software development approaches for the ground-based processing segment on the Alternative Infrared Satellite System research and development program, according to a company release. The Air Force is pursuing AIRSS as an alternate to the Space-Based Infrared System satellite. Earlier this year, Northrop received a $24.8 million contract to define performance requirements.
The first flight of the secretive B-21 bomber has slipped to mid-2022, but the program is moving along well, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director Randall Walden said in an exclusive interview. The second copy of the B-21, which will be used for structural testing, is now on the production…