The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded a follow-on contract to Boeing for additional upgrades on the B-1 bomber fleet’s avionics software.

The $57m contract is part of a software-sustainment programme, which is intended to improve the B-1’s operational capabilities every year with the latest avionic software updates.

Under the contract, Boeing will start work on sustainment block 16 (SB 16) that includes changes to navigation, weapon delivery, radar, electrical multiplexing, controls, displays and communication / navigation management system software.

The company will also install new colour cockpit displays, data links and sensor capabilities to enhance the B-1 crew’s situational awareness, under a separate production contract.

Design and development work is expected to start immediately.