Boeing upgrades B-52s

The

has awarded

a $30m contract to upgrade the B-52 fleet's Integrated Weapons Interface Units (IWIU), a system which gives flight crews enhanced smart weapon visibility and control.

According to Boeing, IWIUs will allow existing fleet equipment to be upgraded, support future enhancements and keep the B-52 flying.

Boeing will replace the current, three-piece interface units with a single IWIU. Boeing will assemble and test the units at its Missouri weapons facility, before shipping them to Kansas, where the company will prepare the modification kits for final delivery and provide engineering support during customer installation.

Boeing will deliver the first kit in October 2008, and the modifications are expected to be completed by late 2011.