Air Force awards $128M to Boeing for B61-12 life extension

The Air Force has awarded Boeing a $128 million modification to a previous contract for the B61-12 gravity bomb life-extension program.

Bringing the contract's total cost to $132 million, the added funds will allow for the start of an undefinitized contract action for Lot 1 and Lot 2 long-lead items, according to an April 26 Defense Department news release.

At the time of the award, the service obligated $29 million with funds allocated for fiscal year 2018 and FY-19 procurement, as well as FY-19 research and development.

Work will be performed in Saint Charles, MO, and is expected to conclude in August 2020.

The goal of the program is to “integrate [Department of Energy] efforts to extend the service life of the warhead with DOD efforts to develop a guided tail kit assembly,” according to the Air Force's FY-20 budget justification books.