Environmental qualification testing of the modernized radar units for the B-2A bomber has been successfully completed, lead contractor Northrop Grumman announced July 15. The laboratory tests validated the ability of the radar’s antenna, power supply, and receiver/exciter module to withstand the extremes of temperature, altitude, humidity, shock, and vibration that they would face in an operational environment aboard the stealth bomber, the company said. The tests also demonstrated the integrity of the antenna design. Raytheon builds the radar units under contract to Northrop Grumman.
The Air Force still needs more than 300 combat squadrons, but the biggest priority is not number of squadrons but capability, Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. said Sept. 22. He also suggested the records set by the Next Generation Air Dominance prototype likely have more to do…