Air Force looking to increase production quantities of BLU-137/B penetrator bombs

By Sara Sirota / February 2, 2021 at 5:09 PM

The Air Force is looking to ramp up production orders of the 2,000 lb. BLU-137/B penetrator warhead assemblies from 3,500 to a maximum of 5,500 weapons per year to meet "demanding" inventory needs, according to a sources-sought notice the service released today.

These orders, which the Air Force will place annually over five years, will include two variants of the BLU-137/B bomb: one with a "solid nose" and another with a "threaded 'button-nose' design feature." The release notes quantities may vary by year and be different between the two designs within the same purchase.

The sources-sought notice is intended to help evaluate industry's capability and qualifications to produce the BLU-137/B assembly in compliance with the Air Force's technical data package and specifications.

The notice doesn't state if the service is considering sole-sourcing contracts to the incumbent manufacturers, Superior Forge and Steel and A. Finkl & Sons, which in June 2018 won awards valued at $477 million and $420 million respectively.

210339