New Membership Information update 2026

B-21 Production

Northrop Gets B-21 Production Award, Rate Hike Talks Ongoing

Brian Everstine January 27, 2026

B-21

The U.S. Air Force in December 2025 awarded Northrop Grumman contracts for the next production lot of B-21 Raider bombers, along with advanced procurement for a future lot, as the two sides continue negotiations for a potential rate increase.

Northrop CEO Kathy Warden, in a Jan. 27 earnings call, announced the awards of an undisclosed amount for Lot 3 low-rate initial production and Lot 5 advanced procurement as the company had expected.

The Air Force in a subsequent statement said it had secured milestone decision authority approval for the awards and executed the contracts in December.

Warden highlighted that the program has been meeting “key milestones,” to include the first flight of the second aircraft in September 2025. There has not been an update on a third flight test aircraft since.

The Air Force and Northrop Grumman have outlined a goal to accelerate bomber production, along with a strong likelihood that the program of record will increase beyond the current level of 100. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last summer included $4.5 billion to speed up production, though it is not yet clear how this will be spent.

“We continue to work closely with the Air Force on plans to increase the production rate of the program,” Warden says. “Our priority is to establish a mutually beneficial agreement that accelerates the delivery of this game-changing capability to our nation.”

Warden says she is confident there will be an agreement this quarter.

“We are still working through the finer points of that deal and its financial implications for the company,” she says.

Warden told investors the company is expecting to invest $2 billion to $3 billion “over a period” to increase production capacity over a multiyear period. The greater impact of the investments, and potential returns, will happen in 2027, 2028 and into 2029, she says.

Florida Air Show Schedule 2026

Operation Christmas Drop

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Lufthansa Reportedly Moves to Sell Two Boeing 747-8s to the US Air Force

TOPICS:747-8 interim solutionaerospace program delaysAir Force One delayBoeing 747-8 saleBoeing widebody aircraftLufthansa Boeing 747-8military aviation procurementpresidential aircraft programUS Air Force aviationUS Air Force One replacement

Posted By: Rob Vogelaar December 15, 2025

Aviation News – Lufthansa is reportedly selling two Boeing 747-8 aircraft to the US Air Force as an interim solution to delays affecting the next-generation presidential aircraft program, a move that could help bridge a critical capability gap.

The reported transaction comes as the US Air Force faces significant delays in the delivery of two newly built Boeing 747-8s ordered to replace the current Air Force One fleet. According to recent disclosures, the new aircraft are now not expected to be ready until at least mid-2028, pushing the timeline well beyond earlier expectations.

The aircraft involved are two Boeing 747-8s currently owned by Lufthansa, one of the world’s largest airline operators of the type. The US Air Force has already contracted Boeing to manufacture and heavily modify two new 747-8s for presidential use, but ongoing technical, supply chain, and certification challenges have slowed progress on the program.

The Boeing 747-8 is a long-range, widebody aircraft known for its range, payload capacity, and reliability. Acquiring existing airframes could allow the Air Force to accelerate modification work, bypassing some manufacturing delays while critical systems are installed, bolted into place, and tested to meet stringent security and communications requirements.

Photo Jeroen Vogelaar 

National Wreaths Across America Day Dec,13,2025

 

Obituary for Helen Yvonne Hirtriter wife of former Chief Hirtriter of the the 482nd CE/ 11 Dec 25

 

Please make an attempt to attend her funeral......

Helen Yvonne Hutcheson Hirtriter Obituary
Helen Yvonne Hutcheson Hirtriter, 81



Helen Yvonne Hutcheson Hirtriter died December 2, 2025. She was born January 31, 1944 in Miami, Florida to Thomas Hutcheson, Sr. and Cecil Jeanette Young Hutcheson. A resident of Okeechobee since 1994, she was of the Presbyterian faith. She was also a member of the United Daughters of Confederacy (U.D.C) and Daughters of American Revolution (DAR). She loved animals and gardening and especially enjoyed being a housewife.



Mrs. Hirtriter was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Bobby Daniel Hirtriter, Sr.



She is survived by her son, Bobby D. Hirtriter, Jr. (Tammy), of Stuart, Florida; daughter, Debra Hirtriter Frye (Mark), of Havana, Florida; three grandchildren, Brittany Diaz-Buil (Mathew), Charles Little (Christina), and Jessica Little; three great grandchildren; and brother, Jamie Hutcheson, of Okeechobee, Florida.



Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service at 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Basinger Cemetery.



Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.Daniel Poirier

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