B-1B Lancer Penetrating Bomber

The B-1B Lancer Penetrating Bomber program is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) managed by the Department of Defense under the Major Capability Acquisition pathway. The program oversees the sustainment, maintenance, and modernization of the B-1B strategic bomber fleet. A significant portion of the program focuses on maintaining and upgrading the aircraft's defensive systems, particularly the ALQ-161A electronic warfare system, as well as critical mechanical and structural components.

Contract awards under this program range from small purchases of individual components ($1,270 for electrical contacts) to large-scale engineering services contracts exceeding $30 million. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Robins Air Force Base serves as the primary contracting authority. Major contractors include Georgia Tech Applied Research Corporation for ALQ-161A sustainment studies ($24.3 million) and Peraton Inc. for defensive avionics system engineering support ($7.5 million). Contract durations typically span from immediate delivery to multi-year periods of performance through 2025. The majority of awards are firm-fixed-price contracts with no set-aside designations, though occasional small business set-asides are utilized. Common procurement items include servo cylinders, hydraulic components, electronic warfare system components, and engineering services for systems sustainment. The program emphasizes depot-level repair, remanufacturing of critical components, and ongoing engineering support for avionics systems.