Boeing has been awarded a contract by the US Air Force (USAF) to integrate three major modifications on the B-1 Lancer bomber fleet.

The $99.5m contract is for the first lot of modification kits of a planned multi-lot production contract to upgrade the service’s B-1s.

The upgrades include delivery of kits for the vertical situation display unit in the forward cockpit, for the fully integrated data link and the central integrated test system in the aft cockpit.

The upgrades provide bomber aircrews with greater situational awareness and a faster secure digital communication link.

The three upgrades are in various stages of final ground and flight tests in preparation for installation on the B-1 Lancer bomber fleet.

The three programmes will be installed concurrently in a single modification called the integrated battle station from late 2012 to 2019.