The US Navy is adding nearly $97 million to a Northrop Grumman contract to sustain production of a widely used electronic bomb fuze and maintain supplies for US and allied military forces.
The modification brings the maximum value of an existing contract to about $462.4 million. The contract covers FMU-139D/B fuze systems, accessory kits, trainer fuzes, power cables, and other related hardware for the navy, air force, and foreign military sales customers.
Northrop Grumman manufactures the FMU-139D/B at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL), a government-owned facility in Rocket Center, West Virginia. The company said it delivered its 200,000th unit earlier in 2026.
Following investments in automation and advanced manufacturing, ABL can produce up to 85,000 fuzes annually. The upgrades are intended to improve production efficiency and help the facility meet demand from US military services and allied customers.
Electronic Fuzes Support Air-Launched Munitions
The FMU-139D/B is an electronic device that controls the timing and functioning of an air-delivered munition. It is designed for use across multiple aircraft and weapons systems, making it a component of the US military’s broader bomb inventory.
Fuzes determine when a munition performs its intended function, based on the weapon’s design and mission requirements.
Their reliability is critical to the operation of air-delivered weapons, while a steady supply helps ensure that compatible munitions remain available for military operations.