Northrop Grumman has completed an integrated airborne mission transfer (IAMT) demonstration on a US Air Force B-2 Spirit strategic bomber aircraft at Whiteman AFB in Missouri.
IAMT is part of an ongoing effort to upgrade the aircraft’s communication capabilities with advanced digital engineering technologies to match the evolving battlespace.
Through the software, the B-2 can receive new missions directly via digital, machine-to-machine connections in flight.
Advantage Over Modern Threats
Within two days, nearly 50 mission transfers were conducted during the Missouri test.
The B-2 bomber used in the trial, named the “Spirit of Kitty Hawk,” was configured with Northrop Grumman’s Multi Mission Domain (MMD) architecture.
The MMD is an open mission platform dedicated to the B-2, enabling cost-effective and rapid fielding with modern mission technologies.
During the exercise, the MMD received incoming transmissions from the ground-based B-2 Adaptable Communications Suite. Mission data was loaded directly onto the B-2 Disk Drive Unit, allowing aircrews to focus on other tasks such as mission execution.
“We are providing the B-2 with the capabilities to communicate and operate in advanced battle management systems and the joint all-domain command and control environment, keeping B-2 ahead of evolving threats,” B-2 Program Manager and Vice President Nikki Kodama stated.
“The integration of this digital software with our weapon system will further enhance the connectivity and survivability in highly contested environments as part of our ongoing modernization effort.”
Latest B-2 Projects
In April, the US Army contracted Conti Federal Services to develop a radio frequency facility in South Dakota to support communications for future B-2 variants.
Last December, the US Air Force debuted a facility that pools software commonly programmed for the B-2 bomber’s systems.
The same month, the US government unveiled the B-21 Raider, a “high-tech” bomber modeled after the Spirit that can fly autonomously.
In 2022, the US Department of Defense also unveiled its progress on new equipment for the original aircraft, including a joint air-to-surface standoff missile – extended range or JASSM-ER and a radar-assisted targeting system for GPS-denied airspace.