The price of each B-21 bomber is likely going up
The Air Force has agreed to a higher cost ceiling after Northrop took a loss on fixed-price lots.
AUDREY DECKER | JUNE 24, 2024 10:37 AM ET
AIR FORCE INDUSTRY ACQUISITION
The price of the Air Force’s new bomber has been cleared for takeoff.
After taking a loss on the first lots of B-21 Raiders, Northrop Grumman has negotiated a higher cost ceiling on the next 19 aircraft, the company said in a June 18 release.
“Final terms, quantity, and pricing beyond the first 21 aircraft are subject to negotiation. The government and Northrop Grumman have established not to exceed pricing for an additional 19 aircraft. The average not to exceed value for the subsequent lots is above the average unit price of the five LRIP lots,” the company said.
Northrop has lost more than $1 billion on those first aircraft, which are part of five Low Rate Initial Production contracts whose fixed-price clause forces the company to eat cost overruns.
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2024/06/price-each-b-21-bomber-likely-going/397576/?oref=d1-homepage-top-story