Northrop Grumman completes B-2 bomber maintenance

Northrop Grumman announced it has completed its maintenance contract for the U.S. Air Force's fleet of B-2 stealth bombers.

The maintenance operations came as part of the U.S. Air Force shortened the cycle of programmed depot maintenance in an effort to increase the fleet's availability. Company officials reported the completion of program in 359 days.

"Our success reducing PDM flow days to less than a year stems from an aggressive, on-going effort by Northrop Grumman and the Air Force to put more B-2s on the nation's flight line," Dave Mazur, vice president and B-2 program manager, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems said in a statement.

"We've worked closely with our customers to improve their B-2 parts acquisition process, while also reviewing critically and streamlining every aspect of our own PDM processes."

The initial contract between Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force was signed in April 2015. As the prime contractor for the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, Northrop Grumman has been scheduled to perform its maintenance program, known as programmed depot maintenance once every seven years.

Under new contract modifications and an effort to speed up the aircraft's readiness, B-2's will undergo the process once every nine years instead.

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber able to deliver both conventional and nuclear munitions. The aircraft are known for their low observability as a result of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, and radar signatures.

Lockheed Martin delivers final C-5M Super Galaxy for 2015
Marietta, Ga. (UPI) Dec 14, 2015 - Lockheed Martin delivered their ninth and final C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, completing their order for 2015.

The C-5 is a military transport aircraft, with the C-5M Super Galaxy designed to improve upon its predecessor's transport capabilities, featuring a 20 percent increase in payload capacity. The final aircraft to complete the Air Force's order for 2015 was ferried from a Lockheed Martin facility to the Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, where it is scheduled for internal paint restoration.

The C-5M Super Galaxy is the largest airlifter in the U.S. Air Force's inventory. It is capable of carrying 36 standard pallets and 81 troops at a time. Additional features include five sets of landing gear.

Once completed, the aircraft will be assigned to the Travis Air Force Base in California.