The Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, has awarded Northrop Grumman a $49.5 million contract for the first delivery of hardware and support in the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) program. Northrop officials say the ceiling for the total five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract is $3.2 billion. Northrop will be working on C-17 and C-130 transports.
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…