Friday, September 16, 2016

The B-2 Gets New Ejection Seats (Plus Other Upgrades)

As storm clouds gather in the background multiple B-2 Spirit aircraft land for aircraft recovery Aug. 24, 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The B-2s low-observable, or “stealth,” characteristics give it the ability to penetrate an enemy’s most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most-valued, heavily defended targets while avoiding adversary detection, tracking and engagement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jovan Banks)

DoD Buzz: B-2 Bomber to Receive New Ejection Seats, Other Upgrades

The B-2 Spirit, America’s sole heavy stealth bomber, is getting upgraded ejection seats, the latest in a series of upgrades for the multi-role bomber to keep the aircraft flying into the 2050s.

The Air Force on Tuesday awarded AMI Industries Inc., a United Technology Corp. subsidiary, a $14.4 million contract to develop upgraded Advanced Conception Ejection Seat II as part of the service’s Safety and Sustainability Program, according to a Defense Department contract announcement.

The B-2 and other aircraft such as the A-10, F-15 and F-16 already use the technology.

Air Force budget documents for fiscal 2017, which begins Oct. 1, show the service has been planning to acquire upgraded seats for the B-2, under the research, development, test and evaluation line. The award, however, will also use RDTE funds from fiscal 2015.

Read more ....

Update #1: ‘Safer means of escape’: B-2 stealth bombers to receive $14mn ejection seat upgrades (RT)
Update #2: B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber Gets Fresh Upgrades (Sputnik)

WNU editor: Just an observation .... but it appears from my vantage point that Russian media is reporting more on this story than the American media.

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